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SELF
STUDY LEARNING MODULE
CEU
Credit: 3.0 contact hours
Approval
for Continuing Chaplaincy Education Pending
"Most of the time we dwell on the losses
and multitude of sufferings that accompany old age, rather
than the new gifts aging can bring," observes Dr. Jane
Thibault, Clinical Gerontologist with the University of Louisville
School of Medicine."
"Our modern, Western society asserts
that aging is primarily a process of deterioration, disequilibrium,
disorientation and, finally, death. Although it is the prevailing
model, it is only one view among many. Traditional Jewish teaching
sees old age itself as a blessing. Asian cultures view elders
as gifts to the family and larger community."
There are numerous aging issues that need to be
proactively addressed in the congregational, healthcare, or community
setting that are going unconsidered. The gifts and opportunities
that come with aging are among these. This is further complicated
by the societal ambivalence that in general ignores some of the
deeper issues of self-esteem, meaning, and sense of purpose experienced
in the aging process. As Dr. Thibault leads workshops for older
adults, she repeatedly discovers that "most would consider
a lifespan of 120 years a curse rather than a blessing -- even
if they were living at the same level of activity they are experiencing
right now!"
This Self Study Learning Module provides presentations
on the gifts of aging that explore
the gifts and opportunities that come from aging along with the
notion of aging as gift and blessing.
Note: This is also presented as an Online Seminar, which includes
a reflective peer group dialogue for sharing resources and
learning from others, for 12 contact hours. See the upcoming seminar
schedule for the next offering.
Presentations:
-
"Giftedness:
A Spirituality for the Later Years" by Jane
Thibault, P.D.
Clinical Gerontologist
and Assistant Professor of Family and
Community Medicine, University of Louisville
School of Medicine
- "Gifts
and Aging: A Two Way Street”
by Mary Cheap, M.S., intergenerational consultant"
-
"Enabling
Romantic Relationships in Later Life"
by Melissa Wood Aleman, Ph.D., Assistant
Professor, School of Communication StudiesJames Madison
University
-
"Protecting
and Enhancing the Gifts of Aging"
by Thomas Chapman, Ph.D., pastoral counselor and consultant
with aging groups
- "What
it Means to be Human"
by Charles Brockwell, Ph.D., retired professor and pastor
Learning
Objectives:
Following this
learning module one should be able to:
-
Assist
persons of all ages in recognizing and valuing gifts
and opportunities that come with age.
-
Assist
senior adults in the process of life evaluation in
a way that enables them to find meaning and purpose
in their experience of aging.
-
Help
older persons be aware of the role their spirituality/faith
plays in their health and to address spiritual/faith
related issues.
-
Work
with families and organizations to facilitate meaningful
intergenerational interaction. .
Continuing
Professional Education:
-
Read through
each of the presentations
listed above.
-
Reflect
on each in light of your own experience and context.
-
Write a
300-500 word summary of this self-reflection for
each presentation responding to two of the following
questions:
a) From your professional perspective, what are the
most relevant issues addressed in this presentation?
b) Do you agree with this presenter’s perspective?
Please use your professional experience to document
why you do or do not agree.
c) Discuss ways that you might implement the ideas
in this presentation within your professional setting.
d) Discuss how you might collaborate with professionals
from fields other than your own, to address the issues
discussed in this presentation?
-
Submit the
CEU application with the written reflections.
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