Pastoral Care in a Retirement Community

Article submitted by St. Lorraine Torres, O.P. and Verna Aucoin, of Chateau De Notre Dame and Wynhoven Health Care Center.
For more information, they can be reached at 504-866-2741.

Pastoral Care is a ministry of presence. In a Retirement Community, it is a presence that allows one to companion with another who is walking in their final journey of this life. The goal of pastoral care is to help foster a positive aging and dying experience. A pastoral care staff member works to support the resident as well as the family with dignity, peace and compassion during this special time. The end of life can be an important time for spiritual growth for all parties. Death is seen as a natural part of life.

As a Pastoral Care staff member, it is important to be a good listener. Communication and collaboration are helpful because illnesses can cause isolation and fear and with a little information and inspiration, fears can be consoled. It is important that someone who is compassionate, gentle and respectful support the aging or dying individual.

One of the hardest things for someone to accept is the loss of physical abilities and independence. What really matters in life is not what you can DO but who you ARE. Just BEING is the most important thing to God. Multiple losses are the experience common to all aging persons. Pastoral Care Staff are witnesses to the fact that someone does care. It can also be a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and endless love. This can be done with and without words. Just a mere smile can lift someone's spirit and make a big difference in their life. Pastoral Care staff is available to be that presence to those who are aging in a retirement community.