On Thursday, January 14, students from our class walked down the street to the Catholic Charities North Center Senior Satellite Center. We shared a free-time afternoon with them, geared toward stimulating motor function and brain activity - in other words, we had some game-time! Students spent a few hours with the seniors shooting pool, and playing games like checkers, cards, Monopoly, and Yahtzee! These seniors are a mix of residents on the campus of housing that surrounds the center and other seniors who live in the city. The center is geared toward providing social opportunities for seniors to enjoy. Here are some thoughts from Brittany Bejabeng, Laura Gaerditz, and Catalina Tueros...
Brittany BejabengLast Thursday, the class took a trip to a Catholic Charities North Center Senior Satellite Center to visit elderly people in that community. Based off of my observations and my interaction with the people there, they seem very well put together as a whole. Most of the men and women there were around their mid-sixties or early seventies. There were all able to communicate in some way, either through English or Spanish. My first impression walking in there was that they were a tightly knit community that was surrounded by enthusiasm and diversity.
Elderly people usually face some form of discrimination because of their physical limits in society. There are placed in the corner and seen as incapable to themselves and to others. Yes, as we get older in some way we are don’t maintain the same strengths as we did in our youth, but ageism should not affect our impression of people’s abilities unless they give you a reason to be concerned. Ageism is the prejudice or discrimination on the basis of a person's age and because of this today some senior citizens feel marginalized. Part of society views them as incapable, so our mentality has been to perceive it that way.
James 2:2-4 says, “For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, 'You sit here in a good place,' while you say to the poor man, 'You stand over there,' or, 'Sit down at my feet,' have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” Based off of this bible passage, we as people should not discriminate based on appearance and structural ability. Yes, judgements can be made, but a person should have the opportunity to be capable and to test their own ability.
God calls us to love one another and to treat others the way you would like to be treated. Reading articles about marginalized groups, visiting senior homes, and reflecting on this topic has personally allowed me to see how that it can somewhat be hard living in a society that sees you as weak, unresponsive, needy, or dependent. Though some of these things may be true on their behalf, senior citizens are pushed to the end of society because some see them as useless. We all will age one day so instead of criticizing or marginalizing them, we should assist in providing for them. It is our turn to give back. Christ would ask for us to help in assisting one another and to not see each other as different creations of the world.
Laura Gaerditz
Going to the Catholic Charities North Center Senior Satellite Center was an entirely different experience from going to the nursing home. For one, these men and women are in much better health. Secondly, more than half of them aren’t living there. They were much happier and eager to socialize with us! When we went on our field trip, we each broke into groups and played a board game, which in my group's case was Monopoly.These men and women are so blessed to have a community center like this available to them. It’s wonderful that this is open to everyone. Being older, they probably don’t get out as much anymore, so this is a great place for them to socialize with one another. Sr. Helen, from our parish, explained to us that the goal of the Daughters of Charity, her religious community, is to aid the poor. But in this case it wasn’t poverty money-wise; in this case it meant that elderly people are often forgotten in society. This is a place where they can feel that they're a part of something.
“Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; And I will bear you and I will deliver you” (Isaiah 46:4). This reminds me of the Catholic Social Theme of Solidarity. These men and women weren’t as dependent on the community center as those people in the nursing home. The community center offered a space and games to play while the people came. They met halfway.
I had a great time at the community center. I’m not entirely sure how they feel, but if I was older I would be happy to have a place to go so I could be with other people. It was great to see all them so happy when we came. It really made my day. I wish there were even more centers like this one available to older people. I truly think that having this socialization in their lives is good for them.
Catalina Tueros
Society has turned a blind side to some of the most important people in our country, the elderly. The elderly hold the key to our history and can help develop our future. In today’s world, we tend to marginalize them and push them to the ends of society. In this week's service trip, my classmates and I were able to volunteer at the North Center Senior Satellite Center. It includes a fitness program that helps seniors become more active, helps the seniors to go on trips, have senior club meetings, and dance. I was able to to play games and get to know more about the seniors who who visited the center. I completely loved the experience. I was able to connect with them and even get some life advice from them. I learned so many new things. We heard similar stories and laughed the entire time. Through this experience I was able to unite with this marginalized group.The seniors are neglected in our society. They are unaccounted for and are seen as weak and unable. The lack of respect is prevalent within today’s society. We forget that we are united and should work as a team rather than create borders for the people. No one is benefiting from circumstances like these. This is a universal issue that continues to plague our world. The elderly deserve a voice and should be heard. The elderly are excluded in society because of the negative perceptions placed upon them, which causes the people to marginalize them within society. Political leaders have the money and opportunity to shed light upon this social issue. The elderly are often dependent on the services the community has to offer them. There should be more local aid. Unfortunately, the majority of the elderly population are excluded during this process because of the negative perceptions. Society chooses to exclude the elderly and the future relationships that can be created never happen. The past perceptions of the elderly can affect the future by continuing this pattern of exclusion. The beliefs of the public can influence decisions made in society because the laws are created in favor of the people. The people’s beliefs can mold better decisions for the marginalized.
This issue can relate to various bible stories such as Genesis 24:1-10. In this story, Abraham was an elderly man, yet God was able to bless him in every way. The idea of aging is prevalent within this story because it is a part of life. It is a natural process that all must go through. It does not make one less able. It allows us to grow and become wise through our own personal experiences. A Catholic Social Teaching theme that is relevant here is solidarity. Christ calls us to respond by being mindful of all people and to view them as brothers or sisters. The elderly should be seen as equal regardless of their state in life. I believe that we are all created to be united in solidarity. As people, we should choose to uplift one another rather than exclude them. We are all equal in the eyes of God. There are so many things to be learned that we have not yet understood. The elderly hold wisdom and understand the trials and tribulations of life. Their insight can be helpful. They should have a say within the community and around the world. It is unjust to take away these rights from them. Christ would expect us to come together as brother and sisters in unity. We are all created in His likeness and the judgment should no longer be placed upon this group of people. I believe that Christ would wants us to work together in order to end this division that we have in the world. I am able to identify with the elderly because my voice is often unheard due to my age. My opinions and ideas are not taken into consideration. There should be more unity between the people by including the elderly and speaking to them. There is so much to be learned.
The elderly in this nation hold the key to our infinite history and may have the answers to our future. It is up to us to help unite the people in solidarity and to help advocate for the marginalized. It is ultimately up to us to give back to the elderly for all that they have done for society. As a nation, we hold the power to rise above.
Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.
