Outcome 1.4 is an important tool to develop spiritual awareness of loss and grief in leadership in the care of their staff.
National Guidelines Implementation Tools & Other Resources
The National Guidelines for Spiritual Care in Aged Care are based on the principles of a whole-of-organisation approach, valuing relational care, affirming that spiritual care is everyone’s business, and that spiritual care is about growth and flourishing. The Guidelines put forward five domains of spiritual care, with ten outcomes under each domain:
1. Organisational leadership and alignment
2. Relationships and connectedness
3. Identifying and meeting spiritual needs
4. Ethical context of spiritual care
5. Enabling spiritual expression
The full text of the Guidelines and other supporting documents can be downloaded from this page.
Hard copies can be ordered here.
To support members in the implementation of the National Guidelines for Spiritual Care in Aged Care, Meaningful Ageing Australia are developing tools that expand and give depth to each of the fifty Outcomes.
Please click below to access your PDF resources. More resources will be added as the series grows.
Meaningful Ageing Australia welcomes your feedback and suggestions: admin@meaningfulage.org.au
The current Residential Aged Care Accreditation Standards are met and exceeded by the National Guidelines for Spiritual Care in Aged Care in numerous ways. Meaningful Ageing Australia has prepared a mapping document that shows the primary connection point between each of the Guidelines’ outcomes and actions in relation to the current Accreditation Standards.
The full National Guidelines launch video – 40 minutes. A short version can be viewed on the Guidelines public access page here. With thanks to the Aged Care Channel for producing the video.
Domain 1 – Organisational leadership and alignment
1.1 The governing body incorporates spiritual care into the organisation’s overall strategy, including setting strategic goals to foster spiritual care.
1.4 Leadership at all levels demonstrates awareness of spirituality, particularly in relation to supporting staff through the inevitable transitions of their direct care giving role.
1.5 Spiritual training commensurate with role and responsibilities is available for all personnel who have direct and/or frequent contact with older people, regardless of whether they are employees or contracted through another organisation.
1.8 Care recipients are supported and encouraged to access outdoor areas. Those who cannot physically move outside are assisted to connect with the natural world
1.10 For residential care homes, a dedicated inclusive, sacred space is available for meditation or contemplation as well as community or faith activities.
A very practical document – easy to understand. It would be easy to integrate this into our existing audit and quality schedule.
Domain 2 – Relationships and connectedness
2.2 Recruitment and selection processes place a high priority on attracting and selecting those who demonstrate empathy, genuine care and the capacity to connect appropriately with older people.
The example interview questions that enquire in plain terms about spirituality are especially helpful.
Domain 3 – Identifying and meeting spiritual choices, preferences and needs
3.1 Upon commencement of care services, spiritual choices, preferences and needs are identified to establish immediate and ongoing care, with the consent of the older person.
3.2 The spiritual choices, preferences and needs of older people are assessed using valid and reliable tools within one month of commencement and at least six monthly thereafter, with the consent of the older person.
We have embedded the tool into our clinical assessment documents.
Domain 4 – Ethical context of spiritual care
4.10 Spiritual care complies with all relevant legal requirements and codes of conduct/codes of practice.
Domain 5 – Enabling spiritual expression
5.2 Older people have access to the natural environment through gardens, outings and/or bringing nature inside through flowers, plants, photos, sounds and fragrances.
5.7 Older people are supported to participate in the arts such as music, singing, dancing, drawing, painting, poetry and story-telling.