Pastoral or Spiritual Care is an important component for United Church Homes as we work toward our vision of creating a culture of community, wholeness and peace. In our healthcare communities, we have trained chaplains on staff to not only tend to the spiritual well-being of residents, but to staff and extended families. These chaplains have earned Master of Divinity degrees through three-year graduate programs, are ordained clergy, maintain their denomination’s continuing education standards and have completed multiple units of Clinical Pastoral Education. In short, they are highly trained spiritual care professionals called to serve individuals of all faith backgrounds–meeting people where they are and offering compassionate, person-centered support. 

Unfortunately, too many people assume that chaplains working with older adults are there to help residents prepare for their death. And yes, chaplains are available to accompany those who are transitioning toward end of life, but even more important, they are present to meet residents where they are on their spiritual journey. This includes being attentive to what gives the resident meaning and purpose at this point in their lives. How are they experiencing their connectedness to God or their higher power? How are their relationships and connections with others? How is it with their souls, their inner lives, as they reflect on the past, look to the future and experience the current realities as they live in bodies that are aging? 

Chaplains and Medical Care 

There are numerous clinical assessments that need to be documented for multiple compliance agencies in skilled care settings. One of these is a Mood Assessment. This is a short set of questions for newly admitted residents to monitor their feelings to better understand their overall well-being.  

If you were to look over UCH’s data prior to mid-2025, it would appear that everyone who moved into our communities was just fine and dandy.  It was recorded that just about every new resident basically indicated they were “fine”. Senior leadership knew, however, that this is not so. There are all kinds of very natural and conflicting feelings in a period of adjustment when residents move into a new home.  

So, they asked the chaplains to administer this assessment, instead of clinical staff. Suddenly it was observed that new residents were grieving their former homes; they were struggling with establishing new relationships with staff and new neighbors. The chaplains training provided a different lens through which they could really listen to what was going on in the new resident’s life. Because of the change in who collected the information, through one-on-one conversations with the chaplains, the communities are now better able to meet the real needs of new residents because we have a better understanding of what they are feeling. 

It’s Not Just About the Residents 

Recently in a workshop at a large conference, which was talking about end-of-life care, one participant talked about their frustration and concern when one of their clients dies. Their employer tells them to close the file and move to the next person who needs their care. This participant was expressing their personal feelings of grief and burnout. The floor was opened up and the rest of us were invited to share how our organizations support staff in those moments of loss.  

I immediately thought of the many stories of how UCH chaplains provide space for residents and staff to remember the death of those they have come to know and love. Sometimes that is meeting with the staff at the beginning of their next shift and inviting anyone to share a story about the resident and remember how their life had contributed to the community. Sometimes the chaplain is asked to provide a bedside liturgy at the time of death including family and staff. Sometimes they preside at the funeral or memorial service. These are important rituals honoring the life of the one who died. 

At one of our communities, three residents passed away on one day and by the end of the month, there were a total of 12 deaths—many of them long term residents, and several of the deaths were sudden and not expected. Recognizing the extensive grief, the chaplain organized a Grief Fair for staff and residents, creating a space to acknowledge and process their own feelings of loss. The event reinforced an important message: grief is a shared human experience, and those feelings deserve care and attention. 

Connecting beyond ourselves

When we talk about spiritual care we also consider how the individual is connected to God or their higher power. When we recognize that we are a part of something larger than ourselves, we are able to consider not only our own inner lives but experience the awe and mystery of the transcendent. Thanks to brain imaging technology today, researchers know that just telling someone else about these experiences has the same effect on our brains as getting a hug from a grandparent or someone we love. Chaplains encourage spiritual growth as they provide opportunities to experience the sacred. 

Spiritual care is also attentive to how we connect to others. Chaplains encourage residents to participate in their communities, with families and friends. Our connection to others reminds us that belonging and meaningful relationships are important elements in overall well-being. 

The transitions that come in later life are sometimes unrelenting. It can be helpful to have others who support our journey as we process the many forms of grief we experience. It can be a source of comfort to know that there is someone who will listen and hold our confidence as we make sense of our life experiences.  

Legacy can be another area where chaplains can be helpful. Legacy is concerned with the questions of what we can do now to make a difference in the world. What gifts have been given to me that I can share with others at this time in my life?  

We know that more than 60% of people do not have active engagement with a religious community or belief system when they reach later life. But we also know that 100% of us are spiritual beings. It has been observed that many are more curious about and interested in exploring their spirituality in later life than they ever were before. Tending to our spiritual growth is just one way that we contribute to aging abundantly, and the chaplains who provide spiritual care are important assets as they work to support and promote the health of everyone in their community. 

Spiritual care is ultimately about presence—meeting people in the fullness of their humanity, not only in moments of crisis or transition, but throughout the entire aging journey. At United Church Homes, our chaplains help create environments where residents, families and staff are supported as they navigate life—change, loss, meaning, growth. In doing so, they help us live more fully into our mission of community, wholeness and peace. Their work reminds us that aging is not just something to be managed—but something to be honored, supported and deeply understood as part of the sacred fabric of life. 

Find a United Church Homes senior living community near you!

by: Rev. Beth Long-Higgins – Vice President of Engagement & Director of the Center for Abundant Aging

Stay Connected and Live Life Abundantly

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No family expects a loved one to need skilled nursing care. No one expects a serious illness or injury that requires a hospital stay. Yet many people do need post-hospital care in a skilled nursing community to recover safely before returning home.

When a physician or social worker tells you that your loved one needs skilled nursing care, the experience can feel overwhelming. You may feel concerned, unsure, emotional, or even guilty. That reaction is completely understandable. Choosing a skilled nursing community is a big decision, and it helps to know what to expect before taking the next step.

What Is Skilled Nursing Care?

Skilled nursing care is a level of care that is different from assisted living. Skilled nursing provides medical support, rehabilitation, medication management and daily care for people who need more help than they can safely receive at home right away.

For many families, a skilled nursing facility becomes the bridge between a hospital stay and a safe return home. For others, it provides the right level of support for ongoing health needs. Either way, the goal is to help each person stay as healthy, comfortable, and safe as possible.

One of the most reassuring things to know is that skilled nursing is not only about medical care—it’s also about helping people regain confidence. This may include rebuilding strength after surgery, learning to move safely again, adjusting to new limitations, managing medications, or settling into a new routine with the support of caring professionals.

What To Ask

When choosing skilled nursing, it helps to ask thoughtful questions:

• What services are available on site?
• How is the care plan developed, followed, and updated?
• How does the interdisciplinary team communicate with residents and families?
• What types of therapies are offered?
• How are residents supported emotionally and socially?
• What does a normal day look like for someone receiving skilled nursing care?

These questions help you understand the experience, not just the services. A facility may look good on paper, but the way staff communicate and interact with residents often says much more.

What Families Can Expect

The transition into a skilled nursing community after an acute hospital stay can feel unsettling simply because it is unfamiliar. Here are a few things that can reduce uncertainty.

• The hospital transfers the needed parts of the medical record to the skilled nursing facility, so the treatment plan and medications can continue there. The SNF stay begins with assessments and questions. Having a family member or close friend available can be helpful when staff are gathering medical history, previous level of function, mobility needs, daily habits and personal preferences. This information helps the team build an individualized care plan that reflects the resident, not just the condition being treated.
• The family or responsible party is an important part of the care-planning team. In a good skilled nursing setting, communication matters. You should feel informed about your loved one’s progress, therapy schedule, and any changes in condition. Asking questions is encouraged.
• The first few days can feel like a lot, but routines usually become easier to manage. Meeting the interdisciplinary team, learning the layout of the community, and understanding the daily schedule can help everyone feel more at ease.

How To Support A Loved One

Families play an important role in making the transition smoother. A familiar face, regular visits, and personal items can help make an unfamiliar place feel more comfortable. Small comforts matter.

It also helps to stay engaged without feeling like you must do everything yourself. The interdisciplinary team is there to support your loved one, and they are also there to support you. Sharing personal preferences, routines, or concerns can help staff provide more personalized care.

If your loved one is able, encourage active participation in recovery. Attending therapy, taking medications as prescribed, eating nutritious meals, following the care plan, and speaking up about needs or discomfort can all support better outcomes. Recovery is more manageable when everyone is working toward the same goal.

If possible, encourage your loved one to eat meals in the dining room and join appropriate community activities. These opportunities can support socialization, help restore normal routines, and bring a little enjoyment into the day.

Moving Forward

No family expects to need skilled nursing care, and it is normal to feel uncertain when that time comes. But uncertainty does not mean you are unprepared. When you understand what skilled nursing care is, ask thoughtful questions, and stay connected to the care team, the path becomes clearer and more manageable.

At its best, skilled nursing care provides more than medical support. It offers reassurance, structure, and a team working toward one shared goal: helping your loved one heal, adjust, and feel supported every step of the way.

Find a United Church Homes senior living community near you!

by: Debra Durbin- Senior Executive Director of Clinical Operations

Stay Connected and Live Life Abundantly

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