Making visible the elderly

Abstract

This dissertation is about pastoral care and counselling to elderly people to keep them visible within our faith communities. The research is a reflection and a re-telling of the lives of five elderly people who shared their stories with me. I heard them talk about ageing as an ongoing journey that is not always smooth. To grow older includes a lot of changes and a reassessment of lifestyles and goals as well as the danger of becoming invisible to others. Visibility cannot be maintained without communities of support, and care within communities of shared prophetic mission. A pastoral therapist must convey the Christian message of care by healing and caring solidarity, co-constructing new narratives of hope, and bringing back visibility to the elderly.