Catholic Care of the Aged, Port Macquarie NSW
Catholic Care of the Aged. Port Macquarie NSW
Maryknoll Hostel
Lourdes Nursing Home
Lourdes House
St Agnes Hostel
St Agnes Lodge
Sr Jill Tobler osu, the CCA Pastoral Care Coordinator has a very strong image of pastoral care, a Siger Koder poster hanging in her office. In the foreground is a strong hand being extended offering support for two other hands reaching out of the water. In the background is a boat with several people aboard, obviously being buffeted by a strong sea.
“This wonderful image for pastoral care,” says Sr Jill, “it not only acts as a daily reminder of a God who holds each of us, but it also reminds us of our responsibility to reach out and hold those, who for whatever reason, are unable to do so for themselves today.” It is on this image that our pastoral care program, offering a unique, holistic service for residents to meet their emotional and spiritual care, has evolved and continues to evolve to meet both the needs of the residents, their families, the staff and volunteers.
The pastoral care program relies very much on its volunteer pastoral care team members to implement the many aspects our program covers. Each volunteer attends a formal training program which covers the various skills necessary to deliver sound pastoral care.
The main topics covered include loss and grief, verbal and non-verbal communication, listening skills, dementia – an overview, communicating with residents with dementia, and also spirituality of ageing.
The team of approximately 30 volunteers visit residents at each entity on a weekly basis. Some of these visits are part of a special program which allows the resident to spend more time with the visitor each week – their ‘special time’. Other visits offered by the team include sitting with a resident and/or family during end stage palliation and offering support to both resident and their family. We also organise visits to the local hospitals if any residents wishes.
Memorial services are well established in all facilities. These were commenced initially to assist staff through the grieving process. After the initial service, it was decided to invite family members to share this time with us. Too often upon the death of a resident, the relative basically packed up the belongings, left the home and never returned. Through inviting the relatives back, there is an opportunity for them to meet again with staff as we all remember their ‘loved ones’ and give thanks for their lives. A memory book is provided at each home.
Other pastoral services offered include the giving of comfort crosses, help with funeral liturgies and letters sent out to relatives on the first anniversary of the death of a loved one.
Carer support groups were established to assist family members adjust to their loved one living in an aged care situation. These groups focus on the needs of the carer rather than the residents. Support groups provide an opportunity to meet with others in similar situations and know that they are not alone. These groups develop an atmosphere of openness and trust and provide a safe environment in which to express the many emotions experienced during this time. During 2005, a men’s only group was trialled, and proved very successful.
A relatively new initiative has been the use of audiovisual reflections in our Liturgies of the Word. For those suffering dementia related illnesses, the images (ie familiar religious pictures as well as those of nature) have been an outstanding success.
Sr Jill explained that pastoral care is never limited. It does not come neatly packaged in a box. We are God’s hands here on earth today and as the pastoral care team we can always do something about the needs of those in our care – just by giving love, or praying for help for those who need it, or by giving help as and when we can.
|
|
