Caring for the Elderly – A Care Ethics Approach

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.