Spirituality is key within a wellness approach
AUDIO: Spiritual care is about connecting deeply with people daily and it is as important as meeting a person’s physical, social or emotional needs within a wellness approach, a leading expert has told aged care organisations.
AUDIO: Spiritual care is about connecting deeply with people daily and it is as important as meeting a person’s physical, social or emotional needs, a leading expert has told community aged care organisations.
Director of consultancy service Improvement Matters, Elizabeth Pringle told last week’s Active Ageing Conference that spiritual needs were at the centre of a person’s being – it was what gave meaning, purpose and connection.
“If they are not feeling a sense of meaning, purpose and connectedness then other interventions won’t be successful,” Ms Pringle said.
Organisations should integrate spiritual needs into the assessment process, establish partners to provide specialist spiritual care and train all staff in basic spiritual awareness, she said.
Following her workshop, Ms Pringle told AAA’s Natasha Egan about the importance of meeting spiritual care needs within a wellness approach and how community care organisations and frontline workers can assist:
The Active Ageing Conference 2015, hosted by Australian Ageing Agenda and Community Care Review, brought together researchers, providers and allied health professionals to discuss the wellness approaches now expected in both home support and home care since 1 July.
Spiritual care is about connecting w people deeply & is as important as physical or social needs, says Elizabeth Pringle #ActiveAgeing2015
— CommunityCare Review (@CommunityCareAU) October 29, 2015
The spiritual task of ageing includes transcending loss, finding final meanings & finding intimacy, Pringle tells #ActiveAgeing2015
— CommunityCare Review (@CommunityCareAU) October 29, 2015
Train staff in basic spiritual awareness. You're trying to attract people who can connect with others, Pringle tells #ActiveAgeing2015
— CommunityCare Review (@CommunityCareAU) October 29, 2015
Want to have your say on this story? Comment below. Send us your news and tip-offs to editorial@australianageingagenda.com.au
Subscribe to Australian Ageing Agenda magazine (includes Technology Review)
