Meaningful Change Through Chaplaincy at The Cairns Aged Care Centre

When asked about his experience at The Cairns Aged Care Centre, resident Geoff, cannot speak highly enough. “You will not find a better place; it’s just run so well,” he says. “You’ve got 24/7 medical care, good food, you get all your laundry done for you. You won’t find anywhere as good as The Cairns!”

Casting his mind back to when Geoff first arrived at the Centre, his personal perspective on life was entirely different. Geoff has just moved from Sydney to Brisbane and had recently closed his family business, which had been in operation for 115 years. This led to him experiencing, as he describes, an episode of anxiety and depression. “I was living in a self-contained unit, and I’d given up on life,” he explains.

Geoff’s family then sought accommodation at The Cairns – a place which, he says, transformed his life. Geoff gradually became acquainted with the Chaplains, Major Terri and Jeff, who began to pray for Geoff. Now, in 2024, Geoff attends weekly Bible study and emphasised his changed outlook on life. “My life was lost and now I have since found purpose. I like going to Bible study,” he states. “I’ve regained my love of God.”

At the Centre, Geoff even puts his previous experience of running a business into practice, as the Chairman of the resident meetings. “I set up an agenda for the meeting and we follow it in order,” he notes. Most recently, Geoff was also an advocate for the Centre’s residents, being involved in the interview panel for new staff at the Centre. “Running a business, I can judge people and I just enjoy being up to date with the running of things.”

For the Centre’s Chaplain Major Jeff, he noted that he first observed Geoff’s sense of curiosity, which has only grown over the last five years. “He started coming to Chapel and was very interested and he still is asking questions. He is always asking questions, which is a good thing. He's still growing his faith, still learning as much as he can. He hasn’t missed a service.”

Their role in the Centre as Chaplains is integral in ensuring all residents feel known and valued. Their approach is, as Major Jeff reflects, person-centred. “We connect with everybody equally,” he explains. “We believe that every person still has a spiritual and emotional side to them. If they have no faith, we still believe that those elements are there, so we try and find out what that is. Their love of art, music or nature.”

For Major Terri, she tells of the reward she has as a Chaplain and the joy it is to see people, like Geoff, feel at home in the Centre. “Seeing people engaging in the community at the Centre and feeling that they are at home and that they are in a safe environment, knowing that they can come to the Chaplains and if they are nervous about seeing someone, that we are a sounding board.”

Click here to find out more about The Salvation Army Aged Care