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a Christ-centered,
gospel based
​health care ministry

Abiding Hearts Ministry Blog

Sharing real stories about real people and how God is intimately working through the ministry of Abiding Hearts

ELDERLY WIDOWS NEED HELP

12/12/2022

 
The current growth of the U.S. population ages 65 and older is unprecedented. The CDC now predicts that people reaching 65 years of age have an additional life expectancy of 19 years. Adults 85 years and older make up the fastest growing segment of the older adult population, and are the most likely to have chronic care needs. “The proportion of older people living alone increases with advancing age, especially for women...with 55 percent of women over the age of 85 living alone” (Tabloski, 2020). The majority of elderly widows live alone, and living alone is a serious adverse social determinant of health. In 2019 the National Center for Elder Abuse reported that each year more than two million older adults become victims of abuse, neglect and exploitation. Living alone undoubtedly presents a greater risk for adverse health events and outcomes. 
According to the Administration on Aging, there are wide disparities in the economic and physical welfare of older adults. Current census data shows that more than 5.8 million older adults in the United States live at or below the poverty level, and older adults are at highest risk for complicated chronic health issues (Tabloski, 2020). The Alabama Department of Public Health reports that nearly one-fourth of Alabama residents are age 60 and older, and Alabama’s elderly population is expected to increase by 82.4 percent by 2040 with the largest growth expected to occur in Shelby County. (https://www.alabampublichealth.gov/healthrankings/geriatrics.html).
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services indicates that in the state of Alabama 831,907 older adults are enrolled in Medicare. An additional 205,633 older adults are dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid due to low income status (U.S.Department, 2007). Therefore, serving as healthcare advocates for elderly widows is fundamental in helping them achieve equitable high-quality care, desirable health outcomes and a good quality of life. Abiding Hearts Ministry was established to bring care to older widows who are vulnerable, neglected, and without adequate access to needed care because of physical and social barriers. 

Health equity means that everyone has access to high-quality care. “The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality defines quality health care as doing the right thing, for the right patient, at the right time, in the right way to achieve the best possible results” (National Academies, 2021). Social determinants of health have a significant effect on healthcare access and outcomes, and there is growing evidence of inequities in healthcare specifically in the older adult population. This is primarily due to an inability to access quality care. Health inequity among older adults is deeply rooted in complex social determinants of health such as economic instability, lack of transportation, lack of family support, and food instability (National Academies, 2021). In the last blog post we shared that Alabama has consistently allocated fewer funds toward home and community based health services than other states. Subsequently, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) scorecard report has ranked Alabama as one of the lowest five states. The scorecard analyzes state performances in providing high-quality systems of care for older adults.  According to the AARP, “at the current national rate of change,” it will take 36 years for the five lowest ranked states to reach the same level of quality achieved by the top five ranked states in providing care for older adults. 
Elderly widows have limited functional capacity as a result of normal aging processes, and unfortunately the majority of them are also burdened with multiple chronic conditions and unmet needs. The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) reports a projected shortage of 25,000 physicians by the year 2025. Currently, there is only 1 Geriatrician for every 7,242 geriatric patients. Less than 18% of registered nurses work outside of the acute care hospital setting, and less than 1% of registered nurses specialize in Gerontology. The median income for older adults in the United States is $20,790 and social security constitutes 90% or more of their total income. Clearly, the elderly widows living in our communities need help, love and support  on multiple levels. Many of their needs fall outside of or exceed what  traditional insurance coverage will provide. They need ongoing chronic care management, advocacy and assistance. We invite you to pray for us and ask the Lord if He would enable you to partner with us by financially supporting Abiding Hearts Widows Ministry and/or volunteering your time and skills.

WIDOWS MINISTRY

12/5/2022

 
WIDOWS MINISTRY
​1 Timothy 5:3
Honor widows who are truly widows indeed, (KJV).
Give proper recognition the those widows who are really in need, (NIV).
Take care of any widow who has no one else to take care of her, (NLT).
We seek to help elderly widows who are living with chronic health issues, and who have limited resources because God has called us to do so and it brings Him glory. Widows are often overlooked, forgotten and neglected. This was true in the days of the early church (see Acts 6) and it is true today. God's word has so much to say to us about taking care of widows. There are more than 75 Bible scriptures that talk about widows. James 1:27 says that pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for widows in their distress. In 1 Kings 17 the first person raised from the dead in the Bible was the son of a widow. In Luke 7 the first person Jesus raised from the dead was the son of a widow. While Jesus was dying on the cross he looked at the disciple John and instructed him to care for his widowed mother. Why wouldn't Jesus have appointed one of his brothers? Is it possible that because at that time even his own brothers did not in believe Him (see John 7), and that He was showing us that it is the body of Christ's responsibility and privilege to care for our widow sisters?  In the Old Testament when we read about God instructing His people to live holy lives He instructs them to care for the widow (Deuteronomy 10, 24, 26). When God is rebuking them and bringing punishment upon the Israelite people, it is often because one of their many sins includes neglecting the widow (Deuteronomy 27, Isaiah 1, Isaiah 10, Jeremiah 22, Ezekiel 22, Malachi 3). In Isaiah 54:5 God Himself declares that when a husband dies, He will Himself become the husband to the widow.  In Psalm 68:5 God declares that He is the Defender of the widow. It is clear that Jehovah Sabaoth, AKA The Lord of Heaven's Armies, has a very special and unique place in His heart for widows.
 
Genesis 1:27 says that God created human beings, male and female, in His own image to be a reflection of Himself. Then in Genesis 2:18 we are given a little more information about why God made human beings, male and female. He says that it was not good for man to be alone. Genesis 2:24 explains God's purpose in creating human beings, male and female. It says "this explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one." Together they best reflect the image of God and that is the main reason why it was not good for man to be alone. Jesus says in Mark 10:9 "let no one split apart what God has joined together" because the image and glory of God is at stake. The apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, further explains to us in Ephesians 5:31-32, "As the Scriptures say, 'A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.' This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one." So the primary reason that a man and a woman are united as one flesh in the marriage covenant is so that they can reflect the image of God and the relationship that exists between Christ and His bride, the church. No wonder God is fiercely passionate about caring for widows. When a widow is left alone, abandoned and neglected it is the very image of God that is dishonored.

The 2020 US Census Bureau reported that widows account for 30% of all older women, with more than three times as many widows as widowers, and that 55% of all women over the age of 85 live alone. Many people believe that widows are already being taken care of by the government, the healthcare system, retirement funds, and family members. However, this is simply NOT true. According to the Administration on Aging, there are wide disparities in the economic and physical welfare of elderly widows. Current census data shows that more than 5.8 million older adults in the US live at or below the poverty level, and older adults are at the highest risk for complicated chronic health issues. The state of Alabama consistently allocates fewer funds towards home and community based services compared to all other states; and, Alabama has ranked in the bottom five states since the beginning of the AARP long-term score card report.  In 2019 the National Center for Elder Abuse reported that each year more than two million older adults become victims to abuse, neglect and exploitation; and, adults over the age of 75 have the highest suicide rate. In 2010 Alabama's elderly population was projected to grow by 82.4% before 2040, meaning that the number of widows living alone with complicated healthcare, spiritual, mental and social needs is drastically increasing. 

Widows need to be reminded that they are loved and invaluable to God, that they still have purpose in life and that Jesus will never forsake them, and that the promises of God will never fail them. Therefore, for the glory of God we go to care for the widow in her distress and time of need.

    Author

    Randy and Courtney Johnson

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  • Home
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