THL444 Pastoral and Spiritual Care in Residential and Community Aged Care Settings (8)

This subject prepares students for pastoral and spiritual care roles in both residential and community based aged care settings, and considers the pastoral or spiritual carer's place in multidisciplinary aged care teams. Praxis issues are identified and discussed including the differing needs and priorities of residents, their families, and staff, together with ethical issues and protocols, professional standards, reflective practice and self care. In addition, building on earlier subjects in Ageing and Pastoral Studies, students will apply knowledge and skills to evaluate and design a pastoral and spiritual care program.

Availability

Session 1 (30)
Online
Canberra Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: THL444. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Theology

Enrolment Restrictions

Graduate Diploma of Ageing and Pastoral Studies
Master of Arts (Ageing and Pastoral Studies)

Assumed Knowledge

THL445, THL446, THL451 & THL459 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of models of care for older adults
  • be able to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of residential and community care contexts
  • be able to evaluate critically different models of pastoral and spiritual care in a range of aged care settings
  • be able to evaluate the role of the pastoral or spiritual carer within a multidisciplinary team in various aged care contexts
  • be able to discuss critically the differing needs and priorities of residents, their families, and staff in residential and community aged care 'situations'
  • be able to apply knowledge and skills to design and evaluate pastoral and spiritual care programs (including the provision of ritual) for a variety of aged care 'situations'
  • be able to reflect critically on professional practice, ethics and self care, and the implications for their professional practice

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • An historical basis to chaplaincy and pastoral care work
  • Role of aged care chaplaincy, including: ministry and residents; ministry and families, ministry and staff.
  • Models of aged care chaplaincy, including: issues in aged care chaplaincy; lay and/or ordained; the chaplain as part of the care team; and job description and assessment (Who defines the role: church or care organisation? Who reviews the performance and how?
  • Ministry with cognitively impaired older people
  • Appropriate ritual, use of symbols and liturgies
  • Administrative/organisational role of aged care chaplaincy, including: documentation and record-keeping; the organisation as person neeing ministry; Church/Chaplain identity and relationship; and chaplaincy accreditation.
  • Skills/strategies in aged care chaplaincy
  • Ministry and palliative care
  • Self care
  • Ethics and aged care ministry, including: personal behaviour and protocols; and spkesperson and guide for the organisation.

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2022. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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