Anyone who attends church on a regular basis recognizes the spiritual benefits. Worship is a tenet of faith, and being active in a church community is very important to many people. Seniors, however, reap a bounty of other benefits from going to church, as church provides the arena for both physical and mental improvement as we age. Here are some ways that worship is vital to seniors’ overall well-being.

It provides a reason to get up and get moving

Even seniors who don’t suffer from severe mobility issues become less and less able and sometimes less and less motivated to participate in physical activity. There are many reasons for this, but whatever the reason, church provides a sort of “forced activity.”

It promotes effortless socialization

Many seniors have trouble making the time to hang out with friends, often relying on family to provide the bulk of their company. This can lead to loneliness, which can lead to depression. The positive effects of social activity as we age have been well-documented. It can help to stave off loneliness and depression and prevent the advancement of cognitive decline. 

It can help seniors struggling with substance abuse

The unfortunate thing about aging is that the reasons to abuse alcohol and drugs don’t diminish. Losing touch with family and friends, dealing with the death of a spouse or sibling, and feeling purposeless are all problems that are common with aging. Some seniors turn to substances to help them cope with feelings of hopelessness, depression, and anxiety about getting older. It’s even more worrisome when you learn that substance abuse is more detrimental to senior health than it is to younger age groups’ health. Church gives seniors an outlet other than substances to help them with negative thoughts and feelings. It also provides a built-in support system and helps to hold seniors accountable to others. 

Beyond the spiritual benefits, regular church attendance has the ability to boost seniors’ mental and physical health, as well as prevent them from falling into unhealthy habits involving drugs and alcohol. The community support a church can provide cannot be overstated. 
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