...always a new insight to learn...

"I am ready for lunch", said a 90 year old woman. She is enjoying her food as I passed by her lunch table. She reminded me, "make sure you take that cookies." It is always a new insight to learn of how an elderly person is very concern about other(s).

...she is very precious...

"A smile from this man can be an expression of joy"

A 99 year old woman asked me as I walked pass-by her lunch table. She said, "how are you today?" I responded, "I am doing fine." She further told me, "I am having this flu do not come near to me." I immediately told her, "it is OK."

It is always a new learning for me as I conversed with an elderly person.

...the journey I took to be where I am now!

Finally many thanks to the Scandlings fellowship which was awarded to me until I completed my doctorate studies at University of Rochester.

Thanks to the La Salle (Christian Brothers) who gave me the opportunity to study my Master in Counseling (Substance abuse) at the Graduate School of Education.

Big thanks to the Jesuit who gave me the scholarship to study at Fordham University. It was a blessing that I successfully completed two masters and one post-master.

This is Sante Anselmo University in Rome where I obtained my LSL degree. I had completed my liturgical doctorate courses but never have the time to finalize my undefended doctorate dissertation.

Thanks to Pope John Paul II who awarded the scholarship to me in 1990.

"I have a happy life."

This morning a 90 year old woman shared this inspiring sentences with me. With a smile, she said "I have a happy life." She further said, "I have nothing to complain, I have what I need in this place." She said, "my life is like flowers growing in the garden." She has the positive attitude looking at her daily journey in life. It is always a blessing to hear from an elderly individual's experience.

To test loneliness-use UCLA Loneliness Scale

UCLA Loneliness Scale
Indicate how often each of the statements below is descriptive of you. Circle one letter for each statement:
0 indicates "I often feel this way"
S indicates "I sometimes feel this way"
R indicates "I rarely feel this way"
N indicates "I never feel this way"

1. How often do you feel unhappy doing so many things alone? O S R N
2. How often do you feel you have nobody to talk to? O S R N
3. How often do you feel you cannot tolerate being so alone? O S R N
4. How often do you feel as if nobody really understands you? O S R N
5. How often do you find yourself waiting for people to call or O S R N
write?
6. How often do you feel completely alone? O S R N
7. How often do you feel you are unable to reach out and communicate with those around you? O S R N
8. How often do you feel starved for company? O S R N
9. How often do you feel it is difficult for you to make friends? O S R N
10. How often do you feel shut out and excluded by others? O S R N

(with permission of Daniel Russell)
Russell, D. (1996). The UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3): Reliability, validity, and factor structure. Journal of Personality Assessment, 66, 20-40.

This might help you as a caregiver: Geriatric Depression Scale

Depression and Loneliness, any CONNECTION?

Geriatric Depression Scale
This scale was developed as a basic screening measure for depression in older adults.

MOOD SCALE
(short form)
Choose the best answer for how you have felt over the past week:
1. Are you basically satisfied with your life? YES / NO
2. Have you dropped many of your activities and interests? YES / NO
3. Do you feel that your life is empty? YES / NO
4. Do you often get bored? YES / NO
5. Are you in good spirits most of the time? YES / NO
6. Are you afraid that something bad is going to happen to you? YES / NO
7. Do you feel happy most of the time? YES / NO
8. Do you often feel helpless? YES / NO
9. Do you prefer to stay at home, rather than going out and doing new things? YES / NO
10. Do you feel you have more problems with memory than most? YES / NO
11. Do you think it is wonderful to be alive now? YES / NO
12. Do you feel pretty worthless the way you are now? YES / NO
13. Do you feel full of energy? YES / NO
14. Do you feel that your situation is hopeless? YES / NO
15. Do you think that most people are better off than you are? YES / NO

The basic references are:
Brink TL, Yesavage JA, Lum O, Heersema P, Adey MB, Rose TL: Screening tests for geriatric depression. Clinical Gerontologist 1: 37-44, 1982.
Yesavage JA, Brink TL, Rose TL, Lum O, Huang V, Adey MB, Leirer VO: Development and validation of a geriatric depression screening scale: A preliminary report. Journal of Psychiatric Research 17: 37-49, 1983.
Sheikh JI, Yesavage JA: Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): Recent evidence and development of a shorter version. Clinical Gerontology : A Guide to Assessment and Intervention 165-173, NY: The Haworth Press, 1986.
Sheikh JI, Yesavage JA, Brooks JO, III, Friedman LF, Gratzinger P, Hill RD, Zadeik A, Crook T: Proposed factor structure of the Geriatric Depression Scale. International Psychogeriatrics 3: 23-28, 1991.

Catholic gerontological pastoral care...

U.S Bishops in their pastoral message, Blessings of Age (Catholic Church, 1999, pp. 22-24):

• Older people are providers, not just recipients, of pastoral care.


• Older people themselves should help to identify their pastoral needs and decide how they are met.


• Older people are diverse, if not more so, than other generational groups.


• Older people need a mix of activities that connect them with each pothers as well as the larger community.


• Spiritual health affects and is affected by the individual's physical, emotional, mental, and social health. Although the faith community is expecially concerned about meeting spiritual needs, it cannot ignore these other realities.

"Catholic gerontological pastoral care is, by its very nature, dialogical, collaborative, mutual, diverse, creative, communal, and spiritual in the most holistice sense" (Rost, 2008).

Generations, Journal of the American Society of Aging, p.45, Summer 2008