For the diary
In celebration of providing spiritual care to its clients, one West Australian provider is planning a week of purple-themed events to honour its chaplains, staff and volunteers
The residential aged care facilities of West Australian provider Bethanie will go purple next week in acknowledgement of the work chaplains, staff and volunteers make to the spiritual care of aged care of residents.
Known as Purple Day, because purple is a colour associated with chaplains and the clergy, it’s the second year Bethanie Aged Care has embraced the celebrations.
Every Bethanie facility will hold a Purple Day next week, which will include Bethanie chaplains dressed in purple visiting facilities and discussing their role within the organization.
Bethanie Coordinator of Chaplains, Daniel Viljoen said while last year’s event was exclusively in appreciation of the work chaplains undertake, this year, Purple Week will acknowledge and thank all of those who have provided spiritual care.
“Our staff and volunteers play integral roles in the physical and spiritual needs of Bethanie clients,” Mr Viljoen said.
Bethanie chaplains will be handing out special acknowledgement pins to the staff and volunteers who have provided and enabled spiritual care.
Throughout the year, Bethanie Chaplains, staff and volunteers continually encourage, support and provide spiritual care to clients, said Bethanie CEO Stephen Becsi.
“Purple Day is the perfect time to acknowledge and thank them for their ongoing contribution to all our residents, community care clients and staff.
“Each Bethanie facility will do something special to congratulate all those who have contributed.”
Staff and clients are encouraged to wear purple to show their support and to offer thanks, he said.
Bethanie has six full-time, four part-time and several relief chaplains who provide a complimentary available to all clients.
Part-time chaplains and local church based groups regularly make visits to provide services to sites without full-time chaplains.
