Overview

Covers an ageing society, theories of ageing, images of old age, the religious and spiritual needs of older people, older people and memory, sexuality, diminishment, worship with older people, life learning, retirement, housing, politics and social policy, successful ageing. Each chapter includes exercises for further reflection. And the notes point to further reading.

Full Product Details

9780281057795

Table of Contents

Reviews

'What we must try and do is to befriend the elderly stranger within ourselves.' These words, spoken by a Roman Catholic nun and quoted in Valuing Age (James Woodward, SPCK), echoes throughout this detailed, practical and thoughtful book which carefully and clearly unpacks many of our views, prejudices, conceptions and fears about ageing. Each of the 17 chapters covers specific topics such as society's views of ageing, theories and images of ageing, health and well-being, memory, spirituality and worship, intimacy, learning, retirement, social policy, a theology of ageing and ageing successfully. Many of the chapters begin with a selection of reflections by older people and each one ends with a series of questions quietly probing the reader's thoughts about growing older and their own relationships with seniors. Subtly and succinctly Woodward challenges the prevailing ageism that exists in both society and many churches, while also allowing the personal contributions to demonstrate how both the task of growing old and that of accompanying those in the later stages of life can be a deeply humbling experience. * Manna Magazine *

'This book is desperately needed. James Woodward's study is masterful, informed, compassionate, theologically articulate, and pastorally compelling...t is a compelling vision of a Church in which older people really are valued and served.' The Very Revd Ian Markham PhD, Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary 'This scholarly and accessible book is born out of the experience of a priest/pastoral theologian working in a community of older people... This book is a must read not only for those working with seniors, but for all of us to better understand the third stage of life.' The Revd Professor Abigail Rian Evans, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ 'James Woodward has spent the last ten years lecturing, writing and bringing to the fore the needs of older people. This book is a profound challenge to both Church and society. How do we respond to an older population? How does the Church think about outreach, mission and evangelization amongst older people?' The Rt Revd David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham UK

Author Information

James Woodward is a well known author and an expert in the field of old age and bereavement. He is the Master of the Leveson Foundation and Director of the Leveson Centre for the Study of Ageing.

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