Anglicare celebrated the 60th anniversary of its Chesalon Aged Services on November 1, with a special service in St Andrew’s Cathedral. But the celebrations come with a sting in the tail.

Within 50 years, nearly one quarter of Australia’s population will be over 65, placing even greater dem-and on Chesalon – one of the few overtly Christian providers of quality care to the very frail aged.

This means that in the future, many more Sydney Anglicans will undertake the search for quality care of ageing loved ones.

Carol Allen, General Manager of Anglicare’s Aged Services, said the prospect of developing dementia is a fearful one, even for those who have known the assurance of Christ all their lives. She spoke of one resident who had lived a long life walking faithfully with God.

“As her mind advanced into dementia’s darkness, she could no longer remember that God loved her. She walked through the corridors of the nursing home repeatedly saying God’s name until one day a nurse, sensing her distress, asked, ‘Do you think God has forgotten you because you have forgotten him?’ The woman replied ‘yes’.

“Her distress was profoundly relieved when the nurse reminded her of God’s promises never to leave her or forsake her. She never exhibited that behaviour again.”

Ms Allen also said that Chesalon staff had a real opportunity to shine the light of the gospel into the lives of residents.

“One Christmas Eve, a lady came into a Chesalon home very ill with a terminal disease. She feared that she would go to hell. The Director of Nursing (DON) spoke to her about Christ-mas and was able to remind this woman that Jesus came to earth to bring us peace with God if we believe in Christ. The woman believed. This frightened woman had her fears relieved, and she became calm.

“The DON went home, having left this woman resting quietly. The DON had no sooner walked in her door than the phone rang. The message? This woman had quietly and peacefully gone to be with Jesus.”

Since 1943, Anglicare’s work in aged services has grown to encompass eight nursing homes and six community services. It now has a staff of 700 who care for over 1,093 residents.

“Sixty years on, I can say unequivocally that the key to our success lies not in the achievements of an aged care policy, but in the truth that all people have unlimited value in the eyes of God. At the heart of the Chesalon philosophy is the belief that every person is created in God’s image and is worthy of our respect and compassion.”

To support Chesalon Aged Services please call 13 26 22.