Editor’s note: In a previous issue, this feature highlighted some of the ways that residents received spiritual discipleship and care prior to COVID-19. This article covers what has been happening since March.

As a healthcare administrator, I never thought we would experience a pandemic such as COVID-19. It has affected every aspect of our daily lives. We see the struggles of our local businesses, faith communities, and educational programs. Healthcare delivery has changed significantly for physicians, hospitals, and senior living facilities.

The RP Home has endured many of these challenges over the past several months. There are challenges we could see coming, such as the change in cost and availability of supplies, maintaining the morale of the staff and residents, providing education on infection-control best practices, and closely monitoring our residents and staff for signs or symptoms of COVID-19. When the strict visitation and group activity restrictions were ordered, the RP Home team focused on how to meet not only the medical needs but also the spiritual, social, and emotional needs of our residents.

In March, without warning, Mindy Cable, Director of Life Engagement, and her team were forced with overcoming the challenge of visitor restrictions and significant restrictions of our resident group activities. These restrictions included pausing our robust volunteer program, which included the critical spiritual care component. Ms. Cable shares some of the changes her team made: “During the pandemic, our spiritual care has been a challenge when it is needed more than ever! Mid-March, we suddenly had no pastoral volunteers for one-to-one visits or to lead worship or devotions. Residents were suddenly isolated in their rooms.

The first step was for activity staff to visit residents for Scripture, music, and prayer. Our volunteer priest sent prayer cards for our Catholics. In April, a staff team was formed to take turns praying on our paging system each day. Volunteers were invited to send devotional videos for our new in-house TV channel. We encouraged residents to watch streaming worship services.

In August, a resident’s daughter contacted me to discuss her parents’ spiritual support plan. She had concerns her parents were not receiving the services they needed, especially given the extra stress from the pandemic. While we were providing livestream or video services of various congregations via remote access to observe the Sabbath, the ability for residents to connect in person for spiritual support and fellowship was limited. For example, singing activities were highly discouraged to lessen the risk of transmitting COVID-19. In addition, group activities were prohibited for almost all of April, May, June, and July, hampering the ability for group devotions and Bible studies. Residents value these formal and informal spiritual programs, and often they uniquely support residents who have visual, hearing, or cognitive deficits. The RP Home has evolved from a place that traditionally served only the Reformed Presbyterian denomination to one that serves residents from a variety of backgrounds. Some are here for just a few days for therapy or other care; others are here long-term.

A study conducted by Koenig (1994) outlines 14 spiritual needs of older people. Examples of these needs are support in dealing with loss; to be forgiven and to forgive; to find meaning, purpose, and hope; to feel that God is on their side; and to prepare for death and dying. Even if seniors have limitations in their physical or health condition, they can continue to grow spiritually.

Providing a robust spiritual program can assist in reducing the feeling of isolation or loneliness. There has been scientific data that people who pray have an increased sense of well-being and that prayer can reduce the negative effects of stress on their mind and body. As reminded by the resident’s daughter, “Scripture focuses [the resident’s] hope upwards away from the discouraging pain and loneliness she has been dealing with.”

In the words of Psalm 121, “I lift my eyes up to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

Formal worship on Sundays has been an important part of celebrating the Lord’s Day. One family member described it “as the day to be in the presence of God, to commune with him through singing, prayer, and hearing from His Word.” Prior to the pandemic, the residents would gather in the RP Home chapel to follow God’s command and to receive encouragement for the week ahead.

In addition to the corporate worship that occurs on the Lord’s Day, one’s worship can include Bible reading, prayer, and singing Psalms, which can be completed in a group or privately. There can also be times of stillness, music, and meditation on God’s Word. When I first arrived at the RP Home, I often would see a resident sitting alone in our chapel before dinner. She shared with me that she enjoyed reflecting and praying while in the chapel in the evenings. I hope that her time in the chapel brought her comfort and reassurance. Informally, a small group of residents who reside in the McKee Place (Personal Care) Community gather weekly to reminisce about the Reformed Presbyterian Church and their friends. They call their group the “Reformed Reminiscers.” Spiritual reminiscing gives our residents a chance to share their experiences, to support each other’s spiritual needs, and to develop friendships.

It has been a collaborative and progressive effort on the part of residents, family, and staff members to adjust our daily routines and practices to ensure we support our residents during these changing times. By God’s grace, spiritual care is being provided in new and creative ways. Reflecting on our most recent experiences pertaining to the RP Home’s spiritual care program both prior to and during COVID-19 has guided me on how to improve our program for the future. I strive to continue to build the RP Home’s spiritual care program to support all our residents in their spiritual needs. I look forward to collaborating with the residents, family, and staff to strengthen our spiritual presence.

Over the past two years of my tenure at the RP Home, I have witnessed the strong commitment the Reformed Presbyterian Woman’s Association board of directors has to the RP Home’s mission, which is to be an organization that “provides quality care and a supportive living environment to older adults in a manner consistent with the affection, honor, and care that the Bible teaches us to give our parents.” Regardless of the trials and tribulations we endure related to the pandemic, we continue to focus on serving our residents and staff with the Christian love taught by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We appreciate your prayerful and practical support as we continue to strive to meet the spiritual needs of our beloved RP Home family. To God be the glory!

Cara D. Todhunter is the executive director at the RP Home. The RP Home thanks Wendy Allman for her editing work.