Home Equipping Leaders Older Adults Safe Sanctuary for Senior Adults: Pine Valley United Methodist Church

Safe Sanctuary for Senior Adults: Pine Valley United Methodist Church

" . . . Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me" (Matthew 25:40, NRSV).

God cares for all and convicts our hearts to be loving and caring for all his children; for their spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. So this is an addendum to the safe sanctuary policy, which has been addressed by The United Methodist Church.

These are some suggestions to follow to ensure the safety of our senior adults:

  • Adequate lighting should be available, indoors and out, to ensure safe passage in and around our church campus.
  • Sidewalks should be kept safe and free of obstacles that might cause someone to fall (replace cracked sections, remove fallen limbs, etc.).
  • Handrails should be installed where necessary in the choir loft or anywhere else there is a possibility of falling while negotiating stairs or passageways.
  • For comfort, safety, and flow of traffic in the sanctuary, we should work to make space available at the end of several pews for wheelchairs. When serving Communion, the aisles are blocked for clear passage when we have a wheelchair in the aisle. This can be embarrassing for the person in the wheelchair as well as a safety hazard.
  • Entry doors and interior doors need to be able to swing both ways as much as possible. People using walkers, canes, or wheelchairs cannot easily navigate doorways. Power assisted doors would be an option.
  • All people, including senior adults, should be aware of the dangers of walking alone on campus, especially after dark. We suggest that they not enter a dark building alone. In addition, it is best to have the last two people of a group leave the building and walk to their cars together. The best advice is to always have someone with you.
  • In our church, we recommend two AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) lifesaving devices be installed, maintained, and available for use.
  • Safety awareness classes should be offered one or two times per year to discuss safety issues relevant to senior adults. These classes may be conducted by knowledgeable church members or by city police, fire officials, or district parish nurses, or by other people brought in by the pastor of adult ministries.
  • We need to use our eyes and ears to help secure the safety of all — the children, youth, young adults, and senior adults.

If you see anything that might be hazardous or could be improved, please suggest it to a staff member or a trustee.

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