Re-discovering meaning of life for residents
A new spiritual program may help aged care residents find meaning in their lives and look for a continuing sense of hope and purpose.
Spiritual Health Victoria’s The Spirituality in Aged Care Professional Development Program is an education resource designed to assist aged care providers to better understand what is meant by spirituality and spiritual care, and to identify and respond to the spiritual needs of ageing residents and clients as part of their everyday practice.
The program was developed over three years in consultation with aged care interest groups and practitioners.
Extensively piloted across a range of residential and community based aged care facilities in both regional and metropolitan settings, the program adopts a holistic person centred perspective of care with a particular focus on spirituality and spiritual needs.
The program enables aged care staff and volunteers to:
- Develop a shared understanding of a contemporary model of spirituality
- Differentiate between spiritual care and religious care
- Attend to the spiritual needs of individual residents/clients
- Work collaboratively to respond to spiritual care needs
- Find appropriate referral pathways when needed
The Spirituality in Aged Care Program is comprised of six modules suitable for all staff and volunteers involved in aged care, including ancillary staff, plus an additional three modules for participants who wish to take on the role of Spiritual Care Liaison in their facility.
Find out more about Spiritual Health Victoria’s The Spirituality in Aged Care Professional Development Program.
