Article
Our Church, Our Home | Caring for One Another As We Age
by Tara Cavaliere
As our parents, spouses, and loved ones grow older, families often find themselves facing questions they never expected to answer. Is the house still safe? Where do we begin? What help is available? St. John the Divine’s RightCare Ministry walks alongside families in those moments, offering practical guidance, trusted resources, and compassionate support.
SJD member Paula Burns and her family found that support when they turned to RightCare for help making a parent's home safer. A remote assessment provided practical recommendations, while follow-up conference calls helped the family understand what to do first and what they might expect as their loved one's dementia progressed.
"The conference calls gave us guidance on what to do first and, mostly, what to expect," Paula says. "We don't feel as overwhelmed."
St. John the Divine’s RightCare Ministry walks alongside families in those moments, offering practical guidance, trusted resources, and compassionate support.
St. John the Divine’s RightCare ministry launched in 2022 to serve our oldest members and their families. The ministry offers resources, tools, and practical support to help families navigate the challenges that come with aging. Assessments often point to small, simple changes that can make a home safer, such as removing or taping down rugs, installing handrails, and using transfer benches in bathroom areas. In 2026 alone, RightCare has walked alongside more than 60 families through in-home assessments and consultations, helping them better understand safety risks and next steps.
What began as a ministry to St. John the Divine members has also grown far beyond our parish. Today, RightCare trains clergy, lay leaders, and healthcare professionals across the country, equipping them to bring the same model of care to families in their own communities. RightCare also works with local fire departments on Community Risk Reduction programs for older adults, helping prevent falls before they become emergencies for families and first responders.
Susan Davis, director of seniors ministry, describes RightCare as a “labor of love” that offers dignity and care to our members and neighbors in need. “I feel so passionately about what we do and what we have accomplished,” says Susan. “I will continue to be a RightCare Ministry volunteer, working with St. John’s seniors, their families, and any others who want help.”
RightCare reminds us that caring for one another doesn't always require having all the answers. Sometimes it begins with a conversation, a visit, or one small change that helps someone feel safer and less alone. Through this ministry, St. John's continues to be not only a church, but a home where every generation is seen, supported, and loved.
Find Your Place
Are you concerned about the safety of an aging loved one's home? Are you navigating new caregiving responsibilities or simply unsure where to begin? St. John's RightCare Ministry is here to help.
Contact Susan Davis to learn more, request an assessment, or explore opportunities to serve with RightCare.