Religion and its role at the end of life
Mary Medland
Contributing Writer
"Taking care of the religious and spiritual needs of those in long-term care is a remarkably rewarding profession," says Marianne Yannarell, home hospice chaplain at Stella Maris. "One gets to work with some remarkable men and women."
Stella Maris provides both individual and group pastoral care: Five days a week Mass is celebrated and three times a week the Rosary is recited. Residents who are unable to go to the chapel can watch the services broadcast on closed circuit television. "On the weekends, we have a lot of volunteers who come here for the Saturday and Sunday liturgies," continues Yannarell, who provides counseling to those who are in hospice care in their own home. "We also talk to their families and friends … people who are dying and who have a strong faith background, know they will be going to a better place, but they still tell us they will miss their families and friends. We often help the family members tell their loved one that after she dies, the rest of the family will still be OK."
Faith-based considerations for choosing a long-term care facility:
• Make sure you find an organization affiliated with your beliefs or willing to allow clergy from your faith to visit onsite.
• How will the facility address end of life issues, such as reconciling with family or friends or a fear of dying?
• What types of support programs are in place for family and friends? Frequently spiritual counselors just sit and talk with people about their faith, about what their relationship with God has been - or whether they believe he has abandoned them - their beliefs, read scripture or simply sit and pray with their patients.
"This is an absolutely wonderful ministry to be in. There are so many rewards working with patients and their families," says Yannarell. "There is a lot of faith, humor and love … in an odd way, this is not terribly sad work."
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