It’s simpler than you might think. Here are 4 general areas to consider.
1) Visitation and friendship development.
One of the best ways to begin this kind of ministry is to start with a relative, or maybe someone from your church who resides in a nursing home or senior living facility. Just go visit. Talk. Share. Pray together. Listen to the stories of their lives. Read the Bible or the newspaper to them, maybe poetry. You can then naturally branch out to that resident’s roommate and other friends.
Another option is to contact the pastor of your church and ask him if he would like some company when he visits the senior care facility. (Alas, few pastors bother with this kind of ministry nowadays.) Simply getting in the door of the facility allows for opportunities for smiles, handshakes, and conversations. And you can always contact the activities director of the facility and ask about residents who most need a little diversion, a little encouragement, a little friendship.
2) Helping out
Just about any nursing home or other senior facility can use help in carrying out various programs. So, volunteers willing to help are a great treasure. Examples? Transporting wheelchair-bound residents to events. Providing company while the resident goes through therapy. Helping with parties, meals, bingo games, playing cards or checkers, conducting Bible studies or worship services, special holiday events, shopping excursions, and so on.
3) Entertainment
Singing or merely helping with sing-along events. Playing an instrument. Dancing. Short skits. Sharing hobbies. Coming along with Claire and I to visit residents when we present “When Swing Was King” shows or conduct our Sunday afternoon church services at Aksarben Village Senior Living. All kinds of things. Talk to family, friends, church colleagues and pray about what you’d most like to do. Then make sure you contact the activities director of the facility for permission and guidance.
4) Seniors outside of “the system.”
Be careful to not overlook the possibility of making friends and helping out with the elderly (or others with special needs like the physically or mentally challenged) who still live on their own. There’s probably a lot of grandparents among your circle of friends who would love to have a visit and make some young friends. The same is true with other seniors from your church congregation or neighborhood.