#ElderWisdom | Stories from the Green Bench
Society & Culture
Episode #49 - Spirituality & Aging in Long-Term Care & Retirement homes can build connection and community. Erin Davis & Doug Robinson welcome Dr. Jane Kuepfer, PhD, MDiv, RP to the green bench to share about her role as the Schlegel Specialist in Spirituality and Aging, her hopes for the future, how spirituality is embraced and supported in all homes, and why.
What is the difference between spiritual and religious?
"Spirituality is the capacity that we all have for experiencing meaning and connection in life." - Dr. Jane Kuepfer
We have come to miss the connection in our communities over the pandemic. It is important to find that sense of belonging, the feeling of home.
Jane is the Spiritual Life Facilitator at The Village at University Gates in Waterloo. She shares about her role and what qualities someone who may be interested in joining a team at a long-term care or retirement setting.
How do you approach your day? "with positivity and honesty … we build each other up"
"Our faith evolves throughout life as we grow and mature. That doesn't stop when we get to the later years." - Jane Kuepfer
Programs building community through spirituality at University Gates may include a Spiritual Life Gathering, Singing, Storytelling, Flowers, one-on-one discussions and more.
"I'd love to see what's happening in our home as we give permission to talk about mortality and to imagine." - Jane Kuepfer
Dr. Jane Kuepfer is the Schlegel Specialist in Spirituality and Aging with the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging. Join Jane at the 10th International Conference on Aging and Spirituality in June 2023: https://uwaterloo.ca/ageing-spirituality/
“a long-term care home is primarily the home of its residents and is to be operated so that it is a place where they may live with dignity and in security, safety and comfort and have their physical, psychological, social, spiritual and cultural needs adequately met.” - Ontario Long-Term Care Act
"Sometimes spirituality can be the word tacked onto the end of the list of the ways we want to care for people." - Jane Kuepfer
The Residents’ Bill of Rights (The Ontario Association of Residents’ Councils)
#10. Every resident has the right to pursue social, cultural, religious, spiritual and other interests, to develop their potential and to be given reasonable assistance by the licensee to pursue these interests and to develop their potential.
"There is such strength in vulnerability, in opening yourself up and telling your story." -Erin Davis
We hear about the Dignity Walk at Schlegel Villages and the power of community as a resident leaves the village for the last time.
What's on your bedside table?
Spiritual Resilience: 30 Days to Refresh Your Soul - Robert J. Wicks
“You are never alone. You are eternally connected with everyone.” – Amit Ray
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The Green Bench is a symbol of elder wisdom. Physically or virtually, the bench invites us all to sit alongside a senior, share a conversation, or give and offer advice.
It challenges the stigma seniors face; the ageism still so prevalent in society. It reminds us of the wealth of wisdom our elders offer and in doing so, helps restore them to a place of reverence.
"The greatest untapped resource in Canada, if not the world, is the collective wisdom of our elders." -Ron Schlegel
This podcast is brought to you by Schlegel Villages, retirement & long-term care homes in Ontario, Canada.
#ElderWisdom | Stories from the Green Bench is produced by Memory Tree Productions
Learn more about our host, Erin Davis, at erindavis.com
Learn more about #ElderWisdom at elderwisdom.ca
Welcoming our new hosts Kathy Buckworth and Evelyn Brindle
”If I can’t eat it, or read it, I don’t need it!” with Harold Quinn
Benefits of #ElderWisdom and the Role of a DLO with Branka Matijevic
Raising a musical family and quirky gardening with Angela Willis
BONUS | Resident Voices in Long-Term Care with OARC’s Melissa McVie & Devora Greenspon
Critical thinking, long-distance relationships and reading with Evelyn Brindle
Public Speaking and Being a Grandma with Shirley Arthur
Bucket Lists, Family Trees and Moving to Glendale Crossing with Ivan Siriani
Dr. Bob Bell - Expert on healthcare for an aging population and prolific author of fiction
Virginia Barry on swimming, canoeing, and being a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi
Hildegarde Bolter on resilience in life, leaving her husband, and being a German child in the war
June Campbell on Newfoundland joining Canada, 2 marriages and lots of traveling
Joyce Stankiewicz on caring for a loved one with dementia and the buddy system at University Gates
Recipes, memories, pasta and the past with Anna Piccoli & daughter Franca
100 Years of Wisdom with Aunt Reta
Meaningful relationships and growth in spirituality with Jack Paleczny
”Who are you, anyway?” with The Right Honourable David Johnston
A part of our Family - Pam Wiebe’s story of changing careers and family culture at Schlegel Village
Corrine Richard on meeting the Dionne Quintuplets, working the carnival and family relations
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