Abstract:
This paper is a contribution intended to introduce the debate on the
church’s role and responsibility in contributing to the healthcare of
the elderly in view of the reality of a growing elderly community. This
paper will focus on the contribution that the church can make towards
the healthcare of elderly people. The argument is presented that this
contribution can be made through care ethics. Care ethics is defined as
the ethics of everyday care. Its focus is on addressing ethical matters in
practice.
This study outlines the reality of an increasing community of the elderly
and the impact that this will have on society, and in particular, on
healthcare. From research it is evident that elderly people want to be
guided through this last stage of their lives. Even if there is no desire to
be assisted in the ending of life, this is not a topic that should be ignored.
An argument has been presented that the church has a role to play in
the healthcare of the elderly, even though, as confirmed by South African
e-publication data bases, this role has not been the focus of research.
The constructive role that religion, faith, spirituality and theology can play
in healthcare is further highlighted. The contributions by Geybels and
Van Stichel, as well as Schotsmans and Burggraeve, are used to inform
the church’s role in healthcare. The outcome of the research defines
four pointers: (a) The core of healthcare is caring for vulnerable people. (b) Elderly people are defined by their circumstances. (c) Relationship
building between the elderly and the care-givers is through care. (d) Care
is more than merely attending to the physical needs of the other.
