OP-ED: Looking Back, Looking Ahead

GREENBRIER COUNTY W.Va. (WVDN) – We experienced a special event on April 8. The Great American Eclipse was a total solar eclipse visible across a band covering parts of North America. Though the Greenbrier Valley was not in the path of totality, many of us took a few minutes out of our day to don our eclipse-viewing glasses and look up to witness this astronomical wonder.

A solar eclipse can be said to symbolize a time of darkness and spiritual renewal, offering an opportunity for introspection and the shedding of old energies. We learn so much from looking at the past. Reflection allows us to pay tribute to those who laid the foundation and dedicated themselves to the cause, learn what worked and did not work so we may better serve our community, and celebrate milestones.

This year Shepherd’s Center of Greenbrier Valley reached a significant milestone, marking a quarter of a century of growth, success, and resilience. A lot has changed over the last 25 years and change is good. A successful nonprofit must listen, adapt, advocate, and add value. Our work not only alleviates loneliness but provides exciting opportunities for older adults to take on new challenges, learn new skills, share their knowledge, make new friends, and serve others.

Sadly, American culture is missing the mark when it comes to celebrating and respecting our elders. At a time when the world seems youth-obsessed, our elder population is overlooked, even though demographers project by 2026 there will be 94.7 million older adults in the United States alone.1 There is significant research demonstrating that ageism directed toward older adults has a negative impact on their health, well-being, and quality of health care received. In fact, in 2023 the U.S. Surgeon General declared social isolation and loneliness to be America’s greatest health risk, increasing the risks of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, cognitive function, depression, and anxiety, and may lead to premature death.

Humans should not be seen to lose value with age; our elders are a precious resource! Older generations have so much to offer. Their life experience is tried and true. If not for their passing on of stories and sharing experiences, we begin to forget where we’ve come from. Native American, Greek, Japanese, and South African cultures have cultivated a higher social value for elders in their communities, and as it turns out, their comorbidity rates are lower than in America. Age is not something that should generate shame, instead we should consider it a gift, a gift of perspective, of patience, fulfillment, and peace.

For 25 years, Shepherd’s Center of Greenbrier Valley has worked to combat stereotypes associated with aging and create spaces where older adults may thrive and be celebrated as leaders. Using the organization’s tenets as a framework, our Adventures In Learning, Lunch & Learns, exercise classes, Handy Helper service, and other programs and services provide volunteer opportunities that keep our community elders, engaged, inspired, and making a positive impact in the lives of themselves and others. Our teachers and volunteers are typically older adults who are happy to contribute their time and talents to the greater Greenbrier Valley.

Shepherd’s Center of Greenbrier Valley recognizes the talents and wisdom of our older adults – one of the Greenbrier Valley’s riches natural resources – and this year we will celebrate our 22nd Community Service Award honoree. This person demonstrates a quest for lifelong learning and sharing knowledge, seeking spiritual growth, and selflessly giving of their time, talent, and resources to their community. So, while some may consider retirement an end, to others and in it’s another great beginning. Shepherd’s Center of Greenbrier Valley has never lost sight of our mission to sustain mature adults to live independently by providing opportunities for lifelong learning, community service, caring relationships, and spiritual growth. As we step forward into the next quarter century, we remain committed to these tenets and bring fresh perspective to sustain a strong Shepherd’s Center of Greenbrier Valley prepared to support our aging community. There are many opportunities to support Shepherd’s Center of Greenbrier Valley and I encourage you to get involved in a way that is meaningful to you. Whether you participate, volunteer, or offer financial support, you can be sure that your efforts are appreciated; simple steps can make a huge impact.

To celebrate our 25 years of providing programs and services for older adults in the Greenbrier Valley, we are hosting a gala in conjunction with our Community Service Award at 6 pm on September 24 at the WVSOM Student Center. We hope you will join us to celebrate the past and inspire our future. Please call 304-645-4196 for tickets and more information.

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