Taking spiritual care to older folk

A special Christian ministry is taking spiritual care to older people in the community.

‘Anna Chaplains’, named after a widow in Luke’s Gospel, work with people living in care homes and sheltered housing complexes, their relatives and staff who look after them.

Anne Bowers became an Anna Chaplain last year and explained: “We rightly focus a lot on youth in church, but older people need a voice too. We need to show them they are just as important to God now as when they were younger.”

Anne had an interest in working with care home residents before hearing about the work of BRF Ministries, which provides spiritual care for older people. She signed up for BRF’s Spiritual Care series.

“They taught us that everybody has a spiritual connection and it’s important to look for it,” said Anne.

“Someone might like music, for example, so you can talk about that and see where it leads.

“When people talk about chaplaincy you tend to think of spiritual things. But it’s not just that. We talk to everyone and anyone, whether they have a lot, a little or no faith at all.”

Anne has a special interest within her wider spiritual work.

“Dementia homes are where I love to be because there is something you can give that lights people up."

THIS ISN'T THE END OF THE STORY!

Read the whole story in the June 2024 issue of New Life Newspaper.

New Life Newspaper

New Life is packed with celebrity testimonies, real-life stories, sports stars and much more. Find the latest edition and many back issues of New Life here.