Lutheran Senior Services
For many families, caring for aging loved ones has become part of daily life. Lutheran Senior Services (LSS) has locations in the greater St. Louis area, Central Missouri (Columbia and Jefferson City), and St. Louis metropolitan Glen Carbon, Peoria, and Springfield, Illinois areas. In addition to highly rated communities, one of the biggest blessings of LSS is the spiritual care they provide.
“The Scriptures urge us to care for the widows and the elders among us, not only for the sake of their livelihood and protection, but also because our elders are often the source of wisdom and blessing for our communities” says Rev. Dr. Travis Scholl who leads mission and ministry at LSS. “These ministries ensure that older adults continue to live life to the fullest, especially within a society that sometimes does not value their life experience as much as we do.”
The chaplains at LSS offer a wide variety of spiritual support including divine services, Bible studies, and more. They also use pastors and deaconesses to assist in serving residents.
LSS offers a wide variety of services to senior citizens including independent living, assisted living, memory care, long term care, and rehabilitation. All residents benefit from the social aspect of community living. (The main difference between independent living and assisted living is that there is no medical oversight in independent living.) Additionally LSS provides affordable housing, home-based care, hospice, and a call-in resource called “Aging Answers.” Scholl notes that, “In all these services, LSS practices person-centered care that is rooted in God’s life-giving promise in Christ: ‘I came that they might have life and have it abundantly’ (John 10:10).”
“Older adult ministry can be both a career and a calling,” explains Scholl. “It is a wonderful way to live out your faith in service to others. And there is no shortage of opportunities for volunteering and employment in a wide variety of skills and capacities. For LSS, our mission of ‘life to the fullest’ isn’t just for our residents, it’s for our staff and everyone who is in some way connected to our communities.”