intro-to-spirituality-for-leaders-media-release
Page 1 of 2
MEDIA RELEASE
Attention: Aged care, Religion & Seniors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12 September 2016
Meaningful Ageing Tackles Barriers to the Implementation of Spiritual Care
A known barrier for the implementation of the recently launched National Guidelines for Spiritual
Care in Aged Care is that leadership staff do not understand and/or value spirituality and spiritual
care. Meaningful Ageing Australia is tackling this with a multi-pronged approach. The focus of the
strategy is to dismantle known barriers and build a pathway towards enabling the aged care
workforce to tune in to what is most important for older people, which in turn improves staff
engagement and stronger links with families. To achieve this, conversations about spirituality and
spiritual care, and follow-up support for implementation, need to occur at various levels and in
various times and places. Two elements of the strategy being launched next month include
education sessions with the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency assessors, and a new seminar
series, An Introduction to Spirituality for Leaders.
Meaningful Ageing CEO Ilsa Hampton commented that “the recently published National Guidelines
for Spiritual Care in Aged Care provide a remarkable strategic opportunity for aged care
organisations at a time when the “heart of quality” has been described by the aged care community
as “trusting, connected relationships, effective communication and an ongoing dialogue” (AACQA
Let’s Talk about Quality, 2015). Many leaders have not yet had the opportunity to consider for
themselves what spirituality and spiritual care is all about. Spirituality and spiritual care are not
included in the curriculum for most care qualifications, although related concepts such as knowing
yourself, your story and your values are found in leadership programs.”
“We are proud to be launching our new program in Wagga Wagga, the first regional seminar for
Meaningful Ageing. This new series will engage participants in a process of developing and
deepening understandings of spirituality and spiritual care, and the implications this has for their
leadership in an aged care organisation,” commented Hampton. Drawing upon current evidence
around spirituality, spiritual care and ageing, the session will align with the core values of the
National Guidelines for Spiritual Care in Aged Care; empathy and compassion, acceptance and
respect, inclusion and diversity, and dignity. The seminar is inclusive of all and assumes no particular
belief system, which is important for people to feel comfortable with what may be a whole new area
of learning.
The first two seminars are supported by Meaningful Ageing Australia members BaptistCare
NSW/ACT (Wagga Wagga) and Calvary (Newcastle). Attendance is open to anyone open to learning
more.
The Newcastle Seminar will also include the Meaningful Ageing Australia Quality Practice Award,
which recognises innovation and excellence in the pastoral and spiritual care of older people.
Page 2 of 2
“Including the awards with the Newcastle seminar provides a great opportunity for those at the
beginning of their spiritual care journey to see some concrete good news stories about what’s
possible,” commented CEO Ilsa Hampton. “Last year’s winning program from Churches of Christ
Qld, a specific approach to faith-based care for people living with dementia, is now in use by our
members across Australia. We’re looking forward to seeing what impact this year’s winner will have
in the sector.”
Wagga Wagga seminar registration: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/an-introduction-to-spiritualityfor-
leaders-wagga-wagga-tickets-27268283169
Friday, 14 October 2016 from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM (AEDT)
Wagga Wagga Senior’s Community Centre
Newcastle seminar and awards registration: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/an-introduction-tospirituality-
for-leaders-newcastle-tickets-27268947155
Friday, 21 October 2016 from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM (AEDT)
Calvary St Joseph’s Retirement Community 240 Maitland Rd, Sandgate, NSW 4017
Follow the Twitter conversation @MeaningfulAge
Media contact: Ilsa Hampton, Meaningful Ageing Australia ihampton@meaningfulage.org.au
Mobile 0425 758 277