Aging Resourcefully: Libby Boatwright: Community Care System

Libby received her doctorate in Semiotics and Future Studies at George Fox University in 2011 and has masters from University of California at Berkeley, San Francisco State University and a Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. She is currently serves as Associate Pastor for Congregational Care at Lake Grove Presbyterian Church serving a population of nearly 450 seniors and others in need of pastoral care. Her mission work has included hurricane relief in the Bahamas, church building in France, and ministry in Mexico, Argentina and most recently developing a sustainable village in Santa Barbara, Honduras. 

What we Do: Offer 29 different ministries serving mature adults, including visitation, emergency services, rides and transportation, food boxes, parish nurse services, social/excursion activities, wellness classes such as fall prevention, education on Medicare and Medigap programs and financial planning/budget and credit matters,  and most recently -developing affordable senior housing in Lake Oswego for people over 62 that meet certain income requirements

Unique to this program: integration of civic and professional services with a church that cares about the aging population. We have a church that has over 450 people over the age of 65. We embrace this population with love and compassion and encourage intergenerational service teams to serve them. Dr. Boatwright believes in a care systems approach that counters the "silo" programming most groups use-( i.e. every program stands alone,) and encourages symbiotic relationships with diverse groups. An example of this would be a transportation system that embraces volunteers from churches to assist seniors with getting to doctors, appointments, and a senior center for classes. www.lakegrovepres.org/care,