For churches

Build a ministry that reaches the families who are easy to miss.

Most congregations already care deeply about their seniors. The harder part is knowing how to reach the husband who stopped coming because his wife can’t be left alone, or the daughter who is caring for Mom on top of everything else. bēkn helps you build a plan for them.

A pastor helps an older woman with a cane at the sign-in table of a bēkn workshop

The need, locally

Nearly one in five people in Hamilton County is 65 or older.

That is 73,322 people, and the share is higher than Tennessee’s (17.7%) or the nation’s (18.0%). Most of the care they receive comes from family, not professionals.

Bar chart of Hamilton County population in five-year age groups, with everyone 65 and older combined into one tall bar of 73,322 — Hamilton County, Tennessee: 73,322 residents are 65 or older, 19% of the county. U.S. Census Bureau, July 1, 2024 estimate.

Bar chart for 2025 through 2035 comparing Hamilton County adults 65 and older, rising from 77,000 to 87,000, with residents giving unpaid care to someone 65 or older, about 45,000 to 48,000 — Looking ahead: the county’s 65-and-older population (73,322 in the 2024 Census estimate) is projected at about 77,000 in 2025 and 87,000 in 2035 (UT Boyd Center). At the national caregiving rate, about 45,000 county residents give unpaid care to someone 65 or older today, and about 48,000 will by 2035.

The research

What the research says.

For the first time in U.S. history, more working adults care for an older adult (nearly 23 million) than for a preschool child (21 million). Most church members are working people, and many of them are carrying this.

1 in 4 adults with a parent or spouse over 65 is already a caregiver.
92% of working caregivers say they wish they had more support.
Three of the four things they ask for most are things a congregation can do.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics and Census data reported in Harvard Business Review (July–August 2025); Pew Research Center (2026); Age Wave and the John A. Hartford Foundation.

See the research →

An older man sits alone on the edge of his bed, head bowed, a cane beside him

What you get

Hands-on help, not a binder.

A ministry assessment for your congregation
Help launching or expanding a seniors ministry that includes caregiving families
Decision-making and caregiving workshops for members, led on site
A customized teaching series for your congregation, built around your calendar; it starts with an exploratory call
Connections to local community resources in your area
Ministry to the Ministers (in development): a community of faith leaders who care for the seniors and aging members of their congregations, with regular gatherings to connect, learn, celebrate, and encourage one another. Email for updates.

“Elder abuse in the church is often unseen and starts with an exhausted caregiver.”

From “Shepherding the Silent,” Tana Meador, LCSW, CMT, with Kristina Twitty, MA

Pastors are often the first to notice a caregiver running on empty. The workshops give you language and a plan for that moment.

How it works

From a first conversation to a working ministry.

STEP 1

Pastoral consultation

A 30-minute call with us about your congregation, its seniors, and who is already caregiving. No cost.

Schedule a call or meeting

STEP 2

Listening survey

We help you find out who in your church is caring for someone and what they actually need. Our caregiver survey is a starting point.

STEP 3

Design the ministry

Respite, visitation, rides, meals, a caregiver group, or a decision-making workshop series. We build around what your people can sustain.

STEP 4

Launch and walk alongside

We stay involved through launch and help your leaders keep it going.

Caregiver survey & workshops

From listening to caring action.

In summer 2026, bēkn surveyed 177 people across ten Chattanooga-area congregations, with support from the Maclellan Foundation. The survey helps a church hear from the people quietly carrying the load. Here is what they said.

32%

are primary caregivers right now (57 of 177).

80%

expect caregiving within three to seven years, or aren’t sure.

47%

knew of no caregiving support at their church (83 people).

said they would make monthly visits; 57 would help with meals.

bēkn’s 2026 Senior Caregiver Survey identified three top concerns: navigating healthcare decisions, managing practical caregiving demands, and preparing for future care and emergencies. While caregivers routinely provide transportation, manage medications, and coordinate appointments, their greatest concerns involve complex decisions, changing needs, and planning for the unexpected. That distinction is why churches need to offer not only practical assistance but also education, guidance, and support for families facing difficult caregiving decisions.

Not a scientific sample. Full write-up: Listening to Caregivers (PDF).

Churches that took part were invited to half-day fall workshops on those three concerns. See what participants said.

Read: When Seniors Skip Church (PDF)

Common questions

What pastors ask us first.

What does this cost the church?

The initial consultation is free. bēkn is a nonprofit supported by donations; talk with us about the cost of workshops or ministry development support for your congregation.

We’re a small church. Is this for us?

Yes. The ministry is sized to what your people can sustain. A small church might start with a visitation rotation and one workshop.

Do we need a dedicated staff member?

No. Most ministries are volunteer-led. We help you identify and equip the right leaders.

Is bēkn tied to a denomination?

No. bēkn is a faith-based nonprofit grounded in Scripture and works with Bible-teaching churches across traditions.

Request a free consultation

Start with a 30-minute call.

Tell us about your congregation, its seniors, and who is already caregiving. No cost and no commitment; it’s how every bēkn ministry has started.