First, it is good for you to be pre-charged. By that I mean that you are convinced that it is something that you should do in the name of the Lord. You should know that the sights, smells and sounds in a nursing home will not always be pleasant, so keep your eyes on the goal of doing it as unto the Lord.

Second, like Moses, Jeremiah and others you may wonder to yourself, "what will I say to these people?" Remember that the Lord has promised to be with you and if you have His love, He will give you the words to say. It may be that you don't have to say much; just your presence will speak volumes. The main thing is to be there to show that you care and to communicate, even if it's minimal.

Third, you may wonder whom you should visit. Your pastor may be able to recommend someone from your congregation who would appreciate a regular visitor. Or, you could select a nursing home in your area and then ask one of the staff members which patients have the fewest visitors and the greatest need to be ministered to. They will be glad to tell you. I have visited this way for nearly 20 years. For thirteen of those years I not only visited but also held a preaching service for the residents.

Finally, never underestimate the mental ability of an elderly person or their hearing acuity. Make it a rule to never say anything that could be considered derogatory or disrespectful, you never know who might be listening.

My experiences at the nursing home have been both a blessing as well as a challenge. One day I sat in the dining room, looked at an elderly lady and thought to myself "Why am I here? Let me out of here, I want to go home!" Then I realized these people are human beings who were once active. Looking around at the different patients I began to see them in a new light: she is someone's mother and she once had a mother. These people need love and attention.

I have seen the Lord lead me to minister to those that I did not even think to minister to. There was one lady that I visited weekly for many years. I remember her first day at the nursing home and her last days. She was not elderly, but was intently debilitated with multiple sclerosis. I was not always sure of what to do; I just did the best that I could. Sometimes I would quote parts of Psalm 23 and let her fill in the blanks. Other times I would sing a song or recite other passages of scripture. One day while I was visiting, a lady in a nearby bed began to respond to my questions. This spoke to me and reminded me that she also had a need.

Some of the sweetest Christian women I know I have met in nursing homes. Ladies like Mary, a humble, meek lady who knew all about Christianity. She told me that all she knew about Christianity was what she learned when she taught her husband's children the Baltimore Catechism and later what her Christian roommate had taught her. At that time I was going to the nursing home with a ministry team and Mary would always ask about specific team members and pray for those who were in need. She and many like her have been testimonies to me of God's grace, like one 80-year-old lady who has been a partial quadriplegic for about 25 years. Her perseverance astounds me!

Some of the people I visit are particularly challenging to me. Weekly I make it a point to visit such a man who is mostly confined to his bed. He had a stroke when he was a teenager and has been disabled ever since. Now he is in a forlorn and moribund state. I go and trust God to use me and do the best that I can. When I don't know what to say, sometimes I will start singing "Amazing Grace" or "What a Friend we have in Jesus" or even some nonreligious song just to stimulate him.

I want to leave you with this thought. When you go to visit people in nursing homes, remember, they may be cautious of you at first. I know a lady; we'll call her Mrs. Ambrose from the Third Baptist Church. Mrs. Ambrose went to visit a patient at a nursing home and became perplexed when the patient did not abandon her bingo game to immediately come visit with her. When I heard about this, I was not surprised. This lady loved bingo and it was something that she could count on each week. The visitor, however, was not a sure thing. She did not know whether she could count on Mrs. Ambrose to return to visit her. She was not ready to give up a sure thing for the unknown.

These are just a few of the many kinds of experiences you might have should you choose to do nursing home visitation. You too will be blessed as well as challenged. Just remember, especially in those more challenging moments, God will be with you. May He bless you as you serve Him in this way.