God, Me and Being Very Old: Stories and Spirituality in Later Life

This book is not about old age, but essentially it is about old people, known and loved or lost and bemused. The heart of the book is the hearing and re-telling of the faith stories of fifteen of the oldest old, all of whom are living in residential care settings. The stories outline the lives they have lived and the impact they have made on their listeners. The book outlines a theoretical basis for exploring the phenomenon of ageing and its effects on society as a whole, with a particular emphasis on the spiritual aspects of ageing, the Church’s response to older people and the place of storytelling. In the final section of the book, five individuals bring their insight and experience into dialogue with the stories of the oldest old, exploring issues around faith development, doubt and dementia, and detailing some vital lessons for the contemporary ageing Church.