Spiritual Care
Spirituality is the way that we search for and find meaning. For some, this meaning is found – at least in part – in a religion or faith tradition. For others, this meaning is found entirely outside of religion. Spiritual care providers, like our chaplains, provide spiritual care that respects each person’s faith tradition and spiritual beliefs. Our chaplains view all aspects of life as interconnected and attend to the person’s beliefs, values, spirituality, religion, culture, relationships, and life experiences to help them find meaning, purpose, peace, and healing.
Spiritual care is the support we offer to residents, families, and staff in dealing with questions of meaning, suffering, death, grief, hope, and healing. This support includes religious practices like prayer and song, reading scripture, participation in worship services, communion, and observance of special occasions. Spiritual care also involves providing emotional support, offering space to reminisce and reflect on one’s life, being present with the person in the midst of pain and suffering, and helping the person and their family prepare for end-of-life. At the end-of-life chaplains provide compassionate spiritual and emotional support to residents, families, loved ones, and staff as part of the interdisciplinary team. Chaplains also help residents connect with their own pastors or priests, who are welcome to visit and who provide spiritual care within their faith tradition.
People look for spiritual support during key life transitions. When residents enter a personal care home, they experience many losses and changes and need spiritual care. At this stage of life, older adults look for new meaning and purpose as they experience the diminishing of their abilities, and the loss of relationships and independence. They need courage as they face the end of their lives. Because spiritual and emotional dynamics are an integral part of the overall health of a person, spiritual care is essential to maintain health and to cope with illnesses, losses, and life transitions.
The Bethania Group is a Mennonite organization committed to provide compassionate care to the elderly. We are committed to caring for the whole person - body, mind and spirit.
Admission to a Personal Care Home often brings out the need for spiritual care. Issues that surface in this stage of life include the need to find meaning amidst many losses, the need to look back on life, the need to find meaning and purpose in the face of the diminishments in old age, and the need to face the end of life.
The Spiritual Care Department provides for the religious and spiritual needs of those who come through our doors, including residents, their families and loved ones, and staff.