ChurchLink Spring 2015 Issue No. 55
Spiritual reminiscence can help people to realise life is a blessing Life Care’s mission is to partner with people to embrace life and Live Every Day.
“Sometimes it is wonderful to share innermost thoughts and feelings with others. It allows your spirit to talk.
Essentially, this is about nurturing an environment in which residents, clients, staff and volunteers, along with their families, are able to live with meaning and purpose each day.
“In our desire to provide the very best for our residents, Life Care is respectful of the many and varied ways people explore and express their spirituality. We do this by nurturing meaningful relationships with residents.
Supporting the experience and expertise of Life Care’s employees are hundreds of dedicated volunteers whose varied skills enhance our definitive culture of caring for older South Australians.
“In support of our chaplains, I am very keen to develop skills in spiritual reminiscence among our volunteers because many are willing to spend time with residents to help them reflect on their lives and achievements.
Volunteers assist in many ways, including partnering residents in group activities, library services, staffing shops and kiosks, companion caring, gardening, and accompanying people on special occasions.
“In doing so, they can help people, particularly those with dementia, to rediscover meaning and perspective and to recognise that life is a blessing.
Coordinating Chaplain Bill Hall
Life Care strives to match volunteer skills, expertise and interests with our residents so that a common understanding and bond can develop, whether this is working as part of a group activity or spending time with an individual. Life Care’s Coordinating Chaplain, Bill Hall, particularly highlights the valued role that volunteers can bring in support of spiritual care. “Among the issues that older people can face are feelings of loneliness and disconnection,” he explained. “For people in aged care, there are very clear benefits from continuing an engagement with the wider community, and this is where volunteers can make a huge difference in people’s lives. “Discovering meaning and purpose for living is at the heart of spirituality.
“Developing and imparting skills in spiritual reminiscence can be highly successful in taking people back to places and events that are essential elements of their life stories, even when words for some may be difficult to find. “Exploring these issues in older age can help people to find new understanding of the meaning and purpose of their lives.” Life Care’s volunteers consistently say that engagement with residents is also enjoyable and fulfilling for them through friendship and learning from life experiences of others. “We are very keen to hear from volunteers who may be interested in developing skills in spiritual reminiscence to support our chaplaincy services in residential care,” Bill said.
For more information call Life Care’s Volunteer Coordinator on 8239 9800
263 Melbourne Street North Adelaide SA 5006
T (08) 8239 9800
W lifecare.org.au
Volunteer Marilyn’s heartfelt story about the care, love and support of residents Retired schoolteacher, Marilyn Matters, is a valued volunteer at Life Care’s Glenrose Court. The Paradise grandmother enjoys spending time with residents highlighting that their well-being comes largely from knowing that their lives are “peaceful, simple and natural.” Marilyn said: “My father was one of those residents who enjoyed the care, love and support shown to him by staff and volunteers during his two year stay at Glenrose Court. “The pastoral care that dad received eliminated a lot of stress in the transition from home to nursing care. I spent many hours with dad and felt that I was embraced by staff and volunteers in the same way. “Glenrose Court is not an institution for the aged. Rather, it is home to the residents and the atmosphere has a family feeling at all levels. “After dad passed on six years ago, I approached the Volunteer Coordinator stating my willingness to become a volunteer.
‘The important role of generating stimulus in conversation and in group activities’ “Thus began a journey of learning and sharing with laughter, tears, joy, companionship and many more emotions. “My main role is spending time with individual residents who do not have regular family visits. I also assist in some group activities and occasional bus excursions. “Individual visits involve discussions on a wide variety of topics and interests during which a special bonding can develop. For example, I casually reflected on a scrabble game I had played with a friend while visiting a 92-year-old lady at Glenrose Court. “She stated how she loved scrabble and used to play with friends. Friday afternoons soon became our regular scrabble time. Scoring was a must and when I purchased a scrabble dictionary things became very serious! “Another special bonding that embraced the ideology of pastoral care developed when I began reading a book by Winston Churchill to an elderly gentleman who fought at Milne Bay during World War ll. “After reading we would discuss each chapter and this allowed the resident to reminisce about some of his own experiences. I was a willing pupil. “I have been regularly visiting a wheelchair bound resident and our time together varies from a walk in the street, sharing a coffee in the courtyard, planting flowers on her balcony, and the ultimate joy of going to a football match at the Adelaide Oval. “The time we spend together is peaceful, simple and natural. “Staff and volunteers play an important role by generating stimulus in conversation and in group activities. For example, knitting is an activity that comes naturally for many residents and it engenders a great deal of reminiscence and joy.
Marilyn Matters and resident Lyn James ... ‘the time we spend together is peaceful, simple and natural’
“My experience as a volunteer with Life Care has been enriching and extremely rewarding.”
www.lifecare.org.au