Elders have an essential and special place in the fabric of our society. Unfortunately, with the increased graying of our population and the frenetic pace of modern life many of the gifts of elders are left ignored. Even for those who are well-cared for physically, there may be a lack of attention to emotional and spiritual needs. One-to-one spiritual care is an opportunity to harvest the wisdom from your rich life-history with someone who listens deeply and respectfully. As you share stories and memories from your life, I can support you in reflecting on questions like: Who have I been, and what have I done? What is the meaning and value of the life I have led? What do I want for the remainder of my life? What are my thoughts, feelings and beliefs about death and dying? From where do I draw strength or spiritual support in facing these questions? What do I want to leave behind for the next generation? Ultimately, this exploration is guided by your own curiosity and readiness to reflect on your life.
In some cultures, the primary role of elders is to give their blessings to the next generation. Amidst the busy-ness and youth-obsessed trance of our modern world, these blessings can remain unrecognized and unreceived. Through creating a space in which the value of their life-experience can be heard and appreciated, I support elders to share their blessings with the world more fully.
My experience with elders spans ten years working as a caregiver and a chaplain with people from diverse backgrounds, religious (and non-religious) affiliations, and varying degrees of mental or physical disability. I have extensive experience working with elders with dementia and memory loss, and can also offer this work to those with less capacity for verbal communication.