Best Practice Spiritual Support Menu

Spiritual Support Menu

Standing Stone Care and Rehabilitation CenterMonterey, TN

Spiritual Support Menu• Your Preference: REFRESHment’s

Menu• A selection of items designed to empower the soul and

REFRESH the Spirit.

Introduction• REFRESHments is a "Spiritual Support Menu".  • It is a menu of all spiritual activities offered in our facility and also community activities.  • The menu looks like a restaurant menu with several categories

– (1:1, group, and guest services (pastors, guest speakers, rabbi, or priest.) 

• It will also include worship selections such as (live concerts, special singer visits, taped programs etc.).

• The CNA shares the menu with the resident each week. The resident then chooses the spiritual activities they want for the next week by checking a box beside the ones of their choice.

• We work with the nursing and QOL to ensure we meet their requests the following week.  • They have opportunity to choose items on the menu such as discuss personal issues (end

of life, relationship, family issues) with chaplain, personal bible study with chaplain (1:1), and many other personalized services. It's been a home run for our facility. It's empowering our resident friends to have their spiritual support--their way and allowing us a glimpse into their selves to help better meet them at the point of their spiritual need!!

What is A Spiritual Menu• The REFRESHment’s Menu is the Department Of

Spirituality’s portion of Standing Stone’s My Preference Campaign. It gives the Elders at our facility the opportunity to be in control of their Spiritual Lives by giving them countless options A la Carte’ as well as weekly groups and prayer sessions and worship groups.

Why Did We Implement This Best Practice?

• We want our residents to have every opportunity possible to make their own choices and have their own needs met.

• We believe in empowering our resident friends to have their spiritual support--their way and allowing us a glimpse into their selves to help better meet them at the point of their spiritual need!!

Objectives• To meet each individual at their point of need,

whatever need that might be.• Empower each resident to make their own

spiritual choices and decide how they need to be ministered to.

• Help the Chaplain and staff gain a greater personal insight into the heart of our residents.

Approach• Step 1– design a spiritual menu of choices for your particular

facility.• Step 2– Contact local clergy and get them “on board” with the

changes.• Step 3– Educate the staff, community, and clergy on the goal of

the program and the integral part they play.• Step 4– Make it happen. Be ready for the residents to tell you

what they need, because they will. Many of them have been waiting on the opportunity to be heard.

• Step 5– Track your success. Case Study reports are vital to show where we started, and where we are on our journey.

Development and Planning

• The key elements in planning the menu have been– Knowing the individual– Knowing what’s available– Knowing what you can and will provide Consistently.– Getting the support of staff and community– Designing and creating the actual menu

Resources• The great part of implementing this program is

that it costs virtually nothing to start. The resources are manpower, and creativity, the willingness to be used by God to REFRESH the spirit and empower the souls of His people.

Challenges• Fortunately, the only challenges we

met were time management. With planning and dedication, this was overcome.

Outcomes• The program is just starting, but already we can

see an increase in our resident’s satisfaction with spiritual services.

• We have seen an increase in Chaplain Referrals (even from our Medical Director!)

• Staff engagement increase.• Family satisfaction and support.

Conclusion• It is easy to give someone what they

already own…their right to choose.