For those looking at senior living options, many needs must be considered. One that is often overlooked but of vital importance is our spiritual care as we age.

Throughout our journey, we build our lives in ways that are meaningful to us. We build relationships with family and friends. For many, this includes years of marriage and raising kids. We build purpose and meaning through careers or caring for family. In many ways, these endeavors define us for most of our years.

Those who have moved into elderhood have collected the wisdom of age and experience, but it is not always clear how to purposely pass that along in meaningful ways. For many, their children have moved out of the house and are building families of their own. Retirement can bring the end of a life-defining career. For others, health changes limit activities that once kept them engaged and connected. All of these bring new opportunities for spiritual care in senior living.

This is where spiritual care in senior living communities becomes so important

I think it is helpful to distinguish what is meant by spirituality, religion, and spiritual care. Spirituality is often defined as a broad term encompassing the ways people seek and express meaning and purpose, as well as the ways that they experience connection to others, themselves, the world around them, and the divine. Religion is a subset of spirituality and is a set of beliefs and practices held by a group of people related to God or other transcendent divinity.

According to a Pew Research study, 65% of adults over the age of 65 state that religion is very important in their lives. That number climbs to 85% for those who say it is important or very important! Religious practices are important to so many; and we all wrestle with questions of meaning and purpose, as well as loss, grief, loneliness, and many other emotional and spiritual concerns at different points in our lives. Research confirms that addressing and supporting these spiritual needs improves overall health—spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual, and social. Spiritual care in senior living not only meets an essential need, but it also truly helps elders thrive.

Christian Living Communities’ approach to Spiritual Care in Senior Living

Spiritual well-being is one of CLC’s five pillars of wellness. We have a team of professional chaplains that helps meet the spiritual and religious needs of residents, families, team members, and the broader community. Here are some of the many needs that chaplains addresses:

• Meeting religious and spiritual needs—Chaplains help residents connect with their faith and spirituality through rituals, prayer, meditation, and other faith-based gatherings. At Christian Living Communities, our chaplains often lead Bible studies, prayer groups, and Sunday worship services.
• Meaningful connections —Chaplains connect with residents, helping them understand their needs and, when appropriate, making connections with families, friends, and faith communities.
• Emotional support—Chaplains provide active and supportive listening to help residents cope with a variety of emotional concerns. This can help foster emotional well-being, leading to greater resilience and allowing residents to navigate challenges with hope and purpose.
• End of life concerns—Chaplains also help residents and families address difficult existential questions about life and death, supporting them through fears and uncertainties, helping them integrate their values, legacy, and meaning to finish their lives well.

October is Clergy Appreciation Month, and October 20-26, 2024, is Spiritual Care Week. I’d like to take a moment to thank all of the clergy who support our residents, families, and staff: Chaplains, pastors, rabbis, and so many others. You are appreciated and your work truly makes a difference! I hope you will also take a moment to thank those in your life who support your spiritual well-being!

If you would like to show your appreciation for our Chaplain team, you could support our Strengthening Our Foundation: A Campaign to Support Chaplain Services.

About the Author

Robert joined Christian Living Communities in 2024 as the Executive Director of Chaplain Services. He brings more than a decade of experience working in senior living in various roles, as well as experience in parish ministry and healthcare chaplaincy.