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Launch of spiritual care education program
Roll out of LGBTI-inclusive training underway

Spotlight on spiritual care

Spiritual Health Victoria has launched a new education resource to support aged care providers to respond to the spiritual needs of their residents.

Cheryl Holmes CEO of Spiritual Health Victoria with resident of Hedley Sutton Community Baptcare David Stout

Developed over three years in consultation with the sector, the professional development program has been extensively piloted across a range of metropolitan and regional aged care facilities.

Cheryl Holmes, CEO of Spiritual Health Victoria, said ageing could be a time of profound spiritual reflection as people seek to find meaning in their lives and look for a continuing sense of hope and purpose.

“Residents of aged care facilities are often reliant on staff and volunteers to recognise their need for spiritual conversation and to ensure that their need for spiritual care is met,” she said.

The Spirituality in Aged Care Professional Development Program has been designed to assist aged care providers to better understand what is meant by spirituality and spiritual care, and to help embed this into everyday practice. Modules are also available for staff who wish to become a Spiritual Care Liaison within their facility.

The program was launched on June 26 by David Stout, a resident of Baptcare Hedley Sutton Community. Mr Stout shared his experience of losing contact with his faith community following his move into residential aged care and the meaning he found in ongoing spiritual reflection in his new environment.

More information can be found at Spiritual Health Victoria.

LGBTI-inclusive training underway

Aged care providers are being encouraged to register for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) awareness training as part of an Australian Government funded national roll out to improve the inclusiveness of aged care services.

The one-day training workshops developed by ACON will address a range of areas including the specific health issues facing older LGBTI population people, current legislation surrounding discrimination and best practice, inclusive services for LGBTI clients.

The national training project supports the implementation of the Australian Government’s first National LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care Strategy released in December 2012. In addition to the roll out of face-to-face workshops until June 2016, ACON has also developed a complementary e-learning program.

This project is a national partnership between members of the National LGBTI Health Alliance and is being delivered locally by the following organisations. Click on the links below for registration information: