An interesting article in yesterday's Chicago Tribune focused on one organization's efforts to train volunteers to provide "emotional support, spiritual care and friendship to residents in nursing homes, residential communities, senior apartment communities and assisted living care communities." 
The topic of spiritual care may not be an easy subject to discuss in any setting, including the confines of senior living facilities. But, as the article points out, elderly folks, in particular those feeling lonely, or isolated, can benefit substantially from the presence of volunteers tending to emotional needs.
While spirituality is often recognized in hospice care programs, the tendency to wait to engage emotional concerns until a senior has reached the last stage of life can overlook the practical benefits of faith-based counseling and interaction throughout the retirement years.
Stories outlining healthy habits to develop, and maintain, during retirement often cite prayer and church attendance as important components to build in to one's weekly routine. But, often seniors, especially those who have lost a spouse, drift away from active church or religious participation, and chalk it up as a practice associated only with prior years spent raising a family, or in conjunction with life in a former community.
The drift away from spiritual practice leaves an empty connection, which, when needed, can cause an uncomfortable scenario, where the re-engagement with a pastor, or congregation feels pressured.
Volunteer organizations, such as the Shepard's Care Community Outreach group in Wisconsin, take their effort to the places where the need exists, thereby presenting an opportunity for seniors to connect with emotional supporters in a normal, healthy setting.
Other methods for helping assisted living residents feel "connected" include massage therapy programs, such as the Tender Touch For All organization, in Port Washington, NY. As the local Patch.com site points out, "this non-profit entity provides massage therapy to seniors and veterans in facilities including nursing homes, assisted living facilities and Veterans Affairs centers."
At Provision Living, we consider our residents' need for emotional support critical, and our facilities build regularly scheduled social, spiritual, recreational and educational events into their weekly programs.
News out of the U.K. also emphasizes the importance of regular sociable events, such as church attendance, and bingo to help seniors remain emotionally connected, and thereby reduce their likelihood of developing disability.
Whether it is bingo, church, regular conversations with a pastor, or getting a massage every few weeks, the need to find creative ways to meet emotional and spiritual needs is gaining recognition. This important issue will hopefully find a place on the front burner of discussions involving senior care and assisted living, and our hats are off to the many organizations creating innovative solutions to address the challenge.
What Do You Think?
Have you experienced a disconnect in your spiritual or emotional needs as you've entered the retirement years, or do you have a family member who has experience something similar? Please share your thoughts in our comments section.
(Image Courtesy of reynolds.james.e on Flickr)
