PREPARATION #3:

A Simulation of Some of the Physical Effects of Aging

(1 hour)

Materials needed

·       Paper and pens or pencils for writing or drawing (or Spiritual Life Journals)

·       Eyeglasses with a thin coat of Vaseline smeared on the outside of the lenses

·       Cotton balls

·       Un-popped popcorn kernels

·       Masking tape

Activity

1.       Explain to the group that many people go into old age strong and sharp both physically and mentally.  There are seventy year-olds running marathons and eighty year olds winning dance contests.  For many people as they age, however, parts of their physical body don’t work as well as they did when they were younger.  Tell the group that everyone will have an opportunity to get a feel for various common physical changes that often come with aging.  For instance we will:

·       have people wear eyeglasses smeared with a thin coat of Vaseline or lotion to simulate blurred vision.

·       have people put a hand full of un-popped popcorn kernels in their shoes to simulation problems with balance and uncomfortableness with walking

·       have people put cotton in their ears to simulated diminished hearing

·       have people wrap some of their fingers together with masking tape to simulate arthritis in the hands.

2.       Give each person one or more of these conditions depending on the quantity of materials you have.

3.       Do a normal activity you might do with the group there at the church.  Or, if they’re brave enough as a group, walk to a nearby grocery, drug or convenience store and have each person buy a small something.

4.       After the activity or trip to the store, have them take off all the simulations aides and sit in a circle.

5.       Invite them to take a few minutes and write or draw in their Spiritual Life Journals about their experience (five to fifteen minutes depending on the ages of the group) reflecting on these questions:

·       What was this activity like for you? 

·       What parts were easy or hard?

·       Did you learn anything unexpected?

·       Can you think of things in your everyday life that would be different if you had to live with those conditions permanently? 

·       How might this experience make you relate to older people differently than before?

6.       Have them share their observations and insights with the group if they wish.

7.       Close with a prayer.

Deepening Faith:  Youth Ministry Resources and Some Miscellaneous Advice

Rev. Lizann Bassham, Front Porch Spirit Press

Copyright © 2001