To exist – to relate – to speak to God

Andreas Geisler

Abstract

The dignity of human beings in old age determines pastoral care in retirement homes. Christian pastoral care considers men and women in their relationship to God, to their fellow human beings, to their environment and to themselves. In these relationships dignity is unconditionally attributed to every person. It is therefore fundamental for every pastor and pastoral caregiver to be rooted in this faith and to experience it in concrete practice as a meaningful and reliable foundation. Pastoral care in a retirement home is a healing one and puts the whole person at the centre. The pastoral caregivers at the retirement home “St. Josef am Inn” in Innsbruck, Austria, understand themselves as bridge builders between the elderly home residents, their relatives, and the staff of the home. They emphasize the concrete moment of authentic encounter and offer themselves as conversation partners. It is important to appreciate each individual’s life-story, avoiding premature judgements. Furthermore, they look at spiritual sources together with the elderly people. Their spiritual needs are taken seriously and spiritual accompaniment is offered in form of conversation, prayer, divine services, sacraments, and consoling rites. Pastoral care as integral accompaniment means also to assist a person at the end of their life. Elderly home residents should feel protected, carried, and loved in the process of dying. Pastoral care in retirement homes, finally, has to take care also of the different professional groups who work there, always considering joys and distress, needs and possible overload of the employees. Summarizing, pastoral care in retirement homes stands up for friendly atmosphere, Christians values and good interpersonal relationships. It is an indispensable contributor to a high quality of care in senior-citizens homes.