Wisdom Years: Roles of an elder

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The Wisdom Years

Roles of an elder

How does the aging adult prepare to travel the distance of her own successful life's journey? Purposeful intentions and acceptance are some of the necessary provisions that fortify the individual climbing the peaks or traversing into the valleys of getting older. An elder who is exploring sustained fulfillment uses a collection of life experiences and enduring characteristics to continue to nourish her spirit on such an adventure.

St. Rose residents participate in monthly discussion about againg. From left, Sisters Beatrice Merkes, Alice McMullin, Joan Marie Wendl and Bernadette Hahn.

What are the attributes of aging? Before the restrictive judgments of "old" are cemented into the psyche, a proactive intervention can be implemented by advocating elderhood. There is some skepticism as to what the benefits could possibly be if this question is approached from a physical perspective. The current youth-oriented culture has a limited definition of what it means to become older. Projected images of faded faces and humble postures lumped together in the context "getting old" discourage the sense of individuality every person wants to feel.

The growing elder works to shrug off the burden of superficial limitations imposed by a disconnected society. The wizened older adult uses the skills acquired by diverse life experiences to perpetuate ongoing feelings of self-worth. The elder also gathers up the social support of valued relationships to bolster her through any difficult transitions. The goal is to evolve into a new role that still glimmers with the original identity of the individual.

There are certain respected roles that are custom-made for someone who is advancing in age. Some of the new roles have been specifically designed to fit the growing elder. To determine what aspects of positive aging feel most comfortable, it is best for every individual to "try them on for size." The elder "dresses" in the most becoming images of aging that can be worn with pride.

Sister Norene Bollech shares her perspective in a recent discussion.

This perspective comes from Aging and Spirituality; Spiritual Dimensions of Aging Theory, Research, Practice and Policy, David O. Moberg, editor.

In Chapter 2, The Spiritual Role of the Elder in the Twenty-First Century, Robert J. Best describes several elder roles.

In the past, "old world elders" were Repositories of Wisdom. There was something about the lives of older adults, whether tragic or hopeful, from which younger people could learn and find guidance. The respected old person possessed an intuitive knowledge of how to judge a situation and what decisions needed to be made around it.

Elders functioned in the community as Celebrators of Rituals. Older people were the primary perpetuators of religious affairs. They had a visible role in liturgical celebrations and religious ceremonies.

In their special role as Transmitters of Sacred Knowledge, elders were responsible for the spiritual education of young people. It was the work of the elders to teach the young about the Scriptures and also how to pray.

Elders were also highly respected for their recollections of significant historical events they encountered. They were seen as Conduits to the Past. Their very presence created a connection among the generations.

Sister Lucille Kleinheinz
“I was thinking of the times we went apple picking or cherry picking and you notice way in the top of the tree the prettiest and the ripest, and you can hardly get them, but you don’t want the birds to get them. So you make every effort to get the best, which is the oldest.”

Sister Elaine McMullin
“I think a sense of freedom is expanded greatly, because we are a lot more free from things that were so very important to us before. Free from competition, free from wanting attention so much. We have a sense of time to take on values that we didn’t often think of before, to put more meaning into the things that we really are doing to make them worthwhile—sort of a simplicity in your style.”

Sister Beatrice Merkes
“I think for me it has been the discovery of gratitude. And there is so much on the Internet on gratitude. It just makes my prayer and every-thing richer.

“And when I’m talking to God about myself, I thank him for the peace and the joy and the gratitude.”

Sister Alice McMullin
“We do a lot of letting go in life, and I think even more so as we get older. We let go of the ministries we had, we let go of relationships with people we lived with, we had to let go of physical abilities. But you know, in letting go, you’re making room for something else and that is for God and the spiritual. And all of these little letting goes is just preparation for the final letting go in death.”

Some traditional cultures of the world still remain strongly influenced by their reverence toward the aged. The honored roles given to the sages within the village give them a rootedness to the beginnings of their community. Generations of young and old are woven together by the heritage they share.

Today the roles for the growing elder have been altered to accommodate the changes that have occurred in this fast-paced and industrialized world. Modern society frequently attaches the role of Storyteller/Historian to the elder. The past comes alive as the older adult reminisces about significant events from history with a bit of personal embellishment added to the recollections. Stories told of the olden days bond the young to the old. Younger people are exposed to a broader view of life. The perspectives from an earlier generation can help youth to develop a "social immunity." They learn to be independent thinkers, free of the constraints that are chained to superficial perceptions.

The current elder has an innate gift for rounding up the family. As a Gatherer of Family and Community there is a warm invitation extended by the "kin-keeper" to bring genera-tions together.

Our Aging Society by G.O. Hagestad teaches us that "Kin-keeping tasks include maintaining communication, facilitating contact and the exchange of goods and services, and monitoring family relationships."

Contemporary culture might want to recognize how an elder adds substance to society as a Mentor and Role Model. Astute listeners have the opportunity to absorb the elder's practical wisdom that has come from experiencing both the successes and errors made throughout the years. The flow of lasting contentment in life is possible when there is a balance between triumphs and losses.

A related concept positions the growing elder as a Beacon of Hope to the future. The positive older adult has a vision that looks forward to what is yet to be over the horizon. A "hope-full" elder nourishes the simple beginnings of human potential with a subtle sense of promise. Dedicated youth who are willing to work in such a fertile environment of support have the opportunity to reap in a bountiful harvest of life successes.

The modern-day world might consider tapping into the inherent gifts of the aged. Elders are viable resources wanting to share their rich life experiences. Forth-coming generations of socially-conscious learners will find priceless value in the "groundedness" of older adults who possess true wisdom. They are the golden treasures of humanity.

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