Keeping the spirit alive during COVID-19

6 May 2020

Our Pastoral Care Practitioners are very committed to the spiritual well-being of residents and continue to provide extra time and support especially in the difficult circumstances due to COVID-19.

Our team has been busy finding new and innovative ways to keep our residents connected to their faith and spirituality, in what is a time of uncertainty and worry for many.

One of the ways they are doing this is through the coordination of the special “Cards of Love” program, which is being supported by volunteers and lifestyle teams across all 11 aged care residences.

The project has proven to be very popular already, with residents and staff embracing the idea which was created to support communication between residents and their families and friends.

One of our residents, Iris said “I have never done this sort of thing before, how wonderful to learn a new skill. I never thought I could create these cards.”

Yvonne at Providence was thrilled when she received the handmade card back that we sent out, saying, “what a beautiful card. It is from my son and daughter-in-law. I’ll keep it near me. I was getting lonely but now I’ve got company.”

Liz Winston, Mission Team Leader, says the team has also been busy working on a new project, called ‘Hearts of Love’.

“The hearts will be used as part of our welcome to new residents and as part of our palliative care kits. We hope to make 400 hand-made hearts. It has been giving our volunteers and staff something to do in their spare time which is creative, and with purpose.”

Our residents are also remaining connected to their faith, with various television streaming of Mass services in both residents’ rooms, and communal areas. These commenced over Holy Week, and have continued, with residents enjoying services from around Australia, and the world.

Technology has been shown to be a key factor in helping our residents feel connected, with staff working hard to arrange numerous video calls to residents’ families and friends each day.

One of our residents, who was disappointed with the closure of the regional library, was determined to find new activities to pass the time. Staff helped her to resurrect her computer, fix her password, and set her up with Skype and Solitaire. She is now delighted to be able to talk to her family and to catch up on emails, all at 98 years old. She has been empowered through technology!

While it is a new and somewhat daunting experience for some of our residents, they are now enjoying this newfound way of communicating and remaining engaged with their wider community.

Well done to our Pastoral Care Team and keep up the great work!

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We here at VMCH respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we gather, and we would like to take a moment to honour the fact that we live on the lands of the oldest civilisation in the world. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.