‘The Most Beautiful Job Imaginable’ – Chaplain Louise Offers Spiritual Care at Resthaven

With Spiritual Care Awareness Week being held from 20-26 October, Dr Louise Townend, Coordinating Chaplain at Resthaven Port Elliot, wants people to know that everyone is spiritual – and that spirituality doesn’t have to be religious, or associated with organised religion.

Spirituality has to do with heart, feeling and experience, and Louise encourages residents at Resthaven to embrace everyday spiritual moments by running weekly relaxation classes – in addition to weekly church services and one-on-one sessions.

‘For residents who don’t see themselves as religious, relaxation is a nice way for them to connect with their spiritual side,’ Louise says. ‘Many of the residents enjoy time in the outdoors, taking in the sounds of the birds, or the smells in the garden. It’s about finding the depth in these moments.’

Working at Resthaven Port Elliot for the past three and a half years, Louise visits twice a week to offer support and spiritual care to the residents, family and friends, and staff.

‘The services of a chaplain are here for everyone,’ Louise says. ‘We perch on the end of the bed, or on the coffee table, and we listen to a person’s story and guide them. I’ll know if there are residents who are having a hard time, suffering a bereavement, or if someone has just moved in who might want to talk about their change in circumstances. It’s very fluid, the work I do. It’s the most beautiful job imaginable.’

Louise says that many aged care residents are of the generation that grew up going to church, and often they find comfort in attending the weekly service.

‘It anchors the week,’ Louise says. ‘Some people may have struggled to get to church in the few years before they moved into Resthaven because of transport and mobility problems, so many enjoy attending again.’

Louise offers a colourful, interactive service, inviting the congregation to take part and showing photographs of her garden in bloom and local scenery. After the service, afternoon tea is held and all residents have the chance to enjoy fellowship with each other and to chat to Louise and the other staff and volunteers.

‘I’m always around for a chat,’ Louise says. ‘It’s often the incidental conversations that are the most important.’

Louise is ably assisted by Lou, a volunteer chaplain’s assistant, as well as Wendy, a volunteer. Resthaven is not-for-profit aged care community service associated with the Uniting Church in Australia.

Pictured: Dr Louise Townend in the garden

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