Welcome to the new Church4Health webpage.
This page is for viewers with an interest and involvement in healthcare, or pastoral care, volunteer programs for the elderly and for those living with a disability = these are just some examples of the church serving and impacting the healthcare industry.
Part of our role at FutureAge Care is to provide education and support for staff working within diversional therapy, pastoral carers, healthcare professionals and volunteers. Christians working in healthcare and those with roles that provide Christian programs and services all have dynamic and God-given talents. Whether you are running a bible study group for people with dementia, or are a volunteer visitor to a local nursing home, or you are a chaplain or pastoral carer, Church4Health is an expression of the unique and diverse roles that individual Christians, clergy and the local church carry out within aged care, dementia care, palliative caring and the disability community.
The vision of Church4Health is to network as a multi-denominational culture, sharing ideas, accountability and educational tools to support the healthcare sector in relevant, professional and Christ-like ways. Our focus for 2010 includes:
The launch of a free Christian e-Newsletter to bring a sense of connectedness, inspiration and support for Christians serving the healthcare community
Network events and presentations to inspire and strengthen us throughout the year
Training opportunities for care staff, pastoral carers and church volunteers
Raising awareness of the God-given opportunities and Christ's desire for us to serve and impact the healthcare sectors
Upcoming events for your diary...
Aged Care >>>Church Resources Network
Network events and training presentations for pastoral carers, Chaplains, church and volunteer professionals serving the aged care community.
We extend a warm invite to you to our Aged Care >>>Church Resources Network: presentations, networking and training activities during 2010 in Sydney. A CD Rom resource after the event is made available for purchase if you are unable but would like to attend. More information can be read below. Those attending our upcoming events include Chaplains, pastoral carers and recreation activities staff. You may also wish to contact us to find out more and we welcome all enquiries.
Thurs 25th March 2010 - Koorong at West Ryde, 6:30-8pm:
Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care - what to do when our resident cannot speak.
A person's verbal responses plays a central role in Action and Reflection. Learn more about non-verbal responses, "micro responses" and how to reflect on an encounter with a person with very low level responses. Notes and practical session. Discount Koorong bookstore vouchers are also kindly supplied as a gift from Koorong. The bookstore is open until 9pm on the evening.
Your evenings are presented by Jennifer Freeman BA hons, who is a Diversional Therapist with many years experience working in chaplaincy, providing music and activities for residents living in aged care and adult long-term healthcare facilities. Jennifer provides dementia-specific activities and specialises in engagement with clients with a range of conditions and health challenges.
Places are limited so if you would like to book through PayPal below you can secure your place now. Otherwise please email us to book and your other payment options include cheque, money order or direct deposit: info@futureagecare.com
Purchase your place at the next event online $25.00, by clicking the Add to Cart button below.
Download the Koorong events booking form in pdf
Download and read the new Church4Health newsletter to find out more about our vision and project ideas for 2010!
Church4Health Network
Join our Church4Health twitter network for weekly updates, information and links to others who are impacting the world of health: aged care, disability support, dementia, mental illness... www.twitter.com/Church4Health
During November we held 2 presentation evenings in Sydney called Church Resources Network >>>Aged Care. The evening was a coming together of volunteers, Diversional Therapists and Chaplains working within aged care across Sydney. Topics included dementia training and communication techniques, faith based programs and activities for residents living in aged care, high care nursing and dementia specific care.
These network evenings were a pilot event that we shall be building on during 2010. Church4Health is the foundation for our vision to draw together people and organisations involved in providing support, pastoral care, emotional and practical services within the healthcare industries. Whether running a volunteer visiting program, bringing church to dementia groups, or a healthcare role as a Christian, we would like to support you, network with you and help build strong relationships and the Christian work ethic together.
If you would like to be on our email list for Church4Health events and our new 2010 Church4Health e-Newsletter, please email us at: church4health@futureagecare.com
Church Resources - copies of Nov 2009 evening presentations $32.95 for CD Rom materials or $22.95 printed notes only.
This CD Rom contains the training notes and PowerPoint Presentation from the Church Resources Aged Care Network presentations which were held in Sydney over 2 nights during November. The notes include dementia, what it is and effective communication; the role of sensory enrichment within activities for dementia; effective church programs and Christian faith-based programs to suit the aged care environment.
Network presentations for Feb 2010 -Multiculturalism and education on Christian chaplaincy and pastoral care for those working in aged care; including for staff from non-church backgrounds. 2nd topic: activities for dementia presentation.
Grief and Loss Training Program
Grief and loss are very important experiences for both staff and those they care for. When a person moves into residential care, or is formally diagnosed with dementia, it can be a very challenging and painful time.
Our Grief and Loss training package takes you through the awareness of grief and loss experiences and how to respond, care for and support those who need our help through the various stages of living in residential care. This practical training program has role play session, notess to keep and is aimed at building confidence and skills among care staff and volunteers.
Training Program now available: Grief & Loss - download and view
(Amazing Grace) Christianity Sensory & Memory Kit:
• Precious Moments DVD (Hymns & UK Scenery, Cornwall, optional words)
• Set of Prayer Cards
• Musical Card (worship song)
• Sensory Bag: wooden cross, rosary beads, faith stone, tactile square with words, squeezy hand ball Jesus loves you","battery operated candle (batteries not included)
• A4 Laminated activity suggestions for faith based programs for people with dementia and late stage dementia; Palliative Care.
SENSA Kits are a new resource concept for carers and lifestyle and leisure staff. For use with clients with advanced dementia and low level responses, SENSA incorporates multisensory items and suggestions for activities, themes and therapeutic sensory enrichment.
Note: items may vary according to availability.
Amazing Grace Sensory & Memory Kit $79.95
Christianity activity ideas for the aged care setting:
Amazing Grace - Dementia Program
The Amazing Grace christian program for dementia has been a development and refining of Chaplaincy visits, Christian worship programs and pastoral care experiences for us over the last 8 years. Residents with dementia are still the same person within: intact spiritually. We are observant of their recorded and known beliefs and previous church/faith based interests. We also take into account that towards the end of life, some people may wish to renew their faith after a prolonged period away from church/God or even take up a new faith commitment as a completely new and unusual turn within their lives. This is why we always ask every resident if they wish to attend a spiritual service or Bible study group for eg. For as individuals, we also once said "no thanks" many times to the offer, there has been a point in time where one changes one's mind... Take a 99 year old lady with dementia for example who suddenly said: Yes! I am worried about dying and where I will be after I've died - please pray with me". The next week she didn't recognise the Chaplain but said: I don't know who you are but yet you seem to be very significant to me". And there was a dapper old gentleman who, 6 weeks before he died, told his visiting Chaplain that he had actually been a strong Christian for many years and was open to receiving prayer that day. Up until that point and for 18 months prior, he had told the Chaplain that he wasn't a believer.
We can and should feel empowered to simplify, adjust and tailor programs and activities for inclusion of the person with dementia. We know how difficult this can be, however. We can recall a Catholic lady shouting continuously throughout a service we sat through with her and this disrupted and upset the remaining 9 participants as well as making difficulties for the Priest and his assistant. And so something had to be changed; a solution to at least allow everyone to be able to access the spiritual support and nourishment that they needed; where possible and in a way to accommodate their unique cognition and awareness. The solution came when the RAO observed the lady's continual calling out late every afternoon from her bed. She was trying to recite a prayer and her daughter later confirmed that she was indeed a devout Catholic who would have said her prayers during the late afternoon. 
The Chaplain's feedback triggered the memory for her daughter. The solution was a 1:1 late afternoon activity in the lady's room spent leading her in the Lord's Prayer and showing her how to hold her hands together to pray once more. The RAO also learned the most common Rosary prayers and kept in touch with the resident's daughter about the new program. This can then become an activity that the family can enjoy together with their mother if they wish.
Observation is often the key with a challenging situation. We have two ears, two eyes and only one mouth! The RAO attempted preparations to bring the resident to the service and documented the outcomes including the loud, verbal expressions and discomfort from the remaining church attendees. It's important to remember that these observed challenges and outcomes do not make it a "failed activity" as some would assume. Research and attempts at providing person-centred care such as this should always be seen as a positive action and relatives and loved ones are often deeply touched by our efforts. For every impossibility there will usually eventuate a possibility. This is where the Amazing Grace words demonstrate how incredible and fruitful it can be to exercise "goodwill" and an act of grace to the situation of diversional therapy and planning spiritual activities. Amazing Grace is a concept, an attitude and a declaration of commitment, problem solving and endurance towards bringing Jesus, worship and Christianity to all who live in residential care.
Worship especially is the key to bringing the presence of Jesus Christ into a person's home or to a facility. Jesus said in Matthew 18:20" "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”. We can take great comfort and guidance from the scriptures and our workshops and presentations during 2010 will reveal more on how you can weave them into the very fabric of your work and client programs.
A new resource addition that has been birthed from these diverse experiences is our creation of the Amazing Grace SENSA™ Kit. This sensory kit includes familiar Christian items for older people, such as rosary beads, wooden cross, hymns on DVD and other vairous tactile items to engage with your person with dementia. The Kit is mentioned above this article with an accompanying photo.
For those of you who are familiar with the Etude Dance© Program - we have (and you can too) implement spiritual-based seated dance with music and creative movement suggestions to enhance the worship experience for your people: hands in praying position, arms open and raised, hand on heart etc.
Etude Dance© Resource Pack
Dances CD, Activity Guide, Laminated Sign, Box File
It’s finally here! Etude Dance© is a seated creative dance and gentle movement program for the frail elderly and residents with dementia. Suitable for high care nursing facilities for residents seated in chairs, gel chairs, wheelchairs or beds. Inclusive for advanced dementia, stroke, frailty.
Your Etude CD contains 13 tracks of interesting music styles: celtic, salsa, linedancing, tango, relaxing piano, ballet, Tunisian, African, Irish and 1 oriental piece.
Your CD is accompanied by a manual outlining Etude with dance choreography suggestions, pre-planning and activity ideas. A sturdy box file and laminated Etude Dance door sign make this a fantastically priced, valuable resource at just $79.95
Click on play below to hear samples of 3 tracks from the Etude CD...
Photographs of Spiritual Concepts to enhance activities
Depiction of Communion
The concept here is to provide a visual cue and sense of "church" with a communion display. Real or fake food can be used and battery operated candles, background music and anything you have available.
The colour purple and mid-blue are associated with religion and religious ceremonies (think of altar cloth, majestic robe worn by a King, Priest's clothing). Here we have used a rich, dark wooden piece of furniture. We decided to use white grapes as we thought that they are more easily recognisible and familiar for our specific residents.
As many activities within residential and day care centres are held in the same room or communal area, some of the ambiance and visual suggestions of the activity theme can be lost. This, in turn can cause a disinterest in participation for some (imagine if you turned up for your church service and it was in someone's dining room, or a Pilates class that was conducted in a lounge room. It would not be very inspiring for you would it?)
A simple visual feature can speak volumes to those joining with you in your activity program. It shows that you care about even the little things and that you want to demonstrate an interest and commitment that your group (and you) deserve. ...Please email any photographs to us that you would like to share with viewers on this page relating to spirituality. The more ideas we can see the better and easier our planning becomes.
Activity - The Christingle Celebration
A tradition that started in Germany in 1749 - the Christingle service began as an inspiring way to remind children of the bigger picture of who baby Jesus is and what he came to do. The simple candle service that John de Watteville introduced showed children then as it does now, that through the gift of a lighted candle we can remember that Jesus brought light into darkness and through the looped red ribbon that Jesus shed his blood and died for our salvation. The Christingle has developed over the last 250 years from a simple white candle to the Christingle that is made today, experienced by people of all ages.
Exploring the Christingle through creative, spiritual activity -
A sweet, juicy, shiny orange represents the goodness of the earth that God created.
Four sticks (cocktail sticks or tooth picks) can be placed into four corners of the top side of the orange. These represent the four seasons of the year. Onto each stick is threaded dried fruit like sultanas or raisins. This represents all the goodness of the fruit of the earth and the richness of animals and birds that God has provided on his earth. Sometimes we use small jelly lollies, dried pineapple pieces, marshmallows, depending on what is appropriate for your group.
A red ribbon wrapped around the orange and fixed in place with a pin represents the blood of Jesus who died for the salvation of the whole world. In the Moravian tradition today a ribbon is looped around a candle at its base.
The white candle is placed in the very top of the orange into a pre-prepared hole. Sometimes some foil is used to help fix the candle into position. This candle represents Jesus, the light of the world, God's son. In the Moravian tradition it would be made from beeswax and would also represent Christ's purity, as this type of candle burns cleanly. Battery candles or unlit candles can be used if safer for your environment.
A modern Christmas can be secular in so many ways. Putting the "Christ" back into Christmas is an important part of the history of this festival period in England, Europe and beyond. Christianity might not be your faith or interest; however everyone is welcome to witness and take part in this traditional service and activity preparations.
Exploring the Christingle tradition overlaps between cultural and spiritual themes, as your residents or clients from England and some parts of Europe may well remember the Christingle Service and taking part. It is also an interesting and engaging activity that may trigger memories, thoughts and experiences about faith, beliefs, traditions and sensory experiences with the creation of your Christingle Oranges and related discussion.
For more on this important and meaningful tradition, follow the Christingle Story weblink below with instructions on how to create, historical facts and photographs:
Christingle Story and activity ideas
Ministering through nature: The bible says in Romans 1:20 that - we have all seen God through creation and what He has made.
One may watch a nature documentary, or enjoy the rain, marvel at the ocean surf and sometimes feel warmed within the heart at the sight of a rainbow or insects at play.
We stock a range of nature DVDs filmed in high definition that show off the wonders of nature and the magnificence of our God! if you are looking for some resources to ignite the senses and awaken the spirit, then we recommend DVDs such as Butterflies and Flowers.
Butterflies and Flowers DVD - nature at play...
Enjoy both tropical and temperate butterflies and flowers on 5 great tracks. Films are complemented by relaxing music and two tracks of longer, slowly-changing images are accompanied by natural sounds.
Different tracks have different types of flowers and include wonderful passion flowers, romantic roses, bright yellow sunflowers, and daisies in a natural meadow setting.
Every butterfly, caterpillar, dragonfly, bee and blossom was filmed with HD cameras for stunning picture quality and amazing detail. 80 minutes total duration. Enjoy the fascinating behaviour of the butterflies as they dance around the blossoms and drink from the flowers’ sweet nectar. Watch how a bee collects pollen from the fragile beauty of a rare passion flower and marvel at the different species of colourful flowers including romantic roses, bright yellow sunflowers, and daisies in a natural meadow setting. This DVD is a great resource to promote relaxation and wellbeing, sensory stimulation, and as a therapeutic aid to compliment Colour Therapy or Palliative Care programs. - A vibrant feast of colour and natural beauty to tantalise the senses and your imagination! only $32.95
Sample this...
Allied Health Practitioners - Medical Elective at Hillsong Conference 2010
We are excited to learn that there will be a new Medical Elective for delegates at the 2010 Hillsong Conference for Churches.
The Hillsong Conference is a multi-church/denominational, multicultural annual event and offers topics for all ages and interests including youth ministries, community services, musicians, TV and media. We helped to establish the Embrace Nursing Home ministry at Hillsong, which oversee teams of volunteers visiting the elderly and residents living with dementia in local residential care homes. The activities include beauty & pampering, music, companionship and onsite church services plus special visits during Christmas, Easter and Mother’s Day etc.
The 2010 Conference Medical Elective is open to all medical and health professionals seeking to be equipped and inspired to bring healing and health to those entrusted in their care. Hear from medical and health leaders on a wide range of topics and enjoy the opportunity to meet and share with other delegates during group sessions. Open to nurses, physiotherapists, counsellors, all allied health professionals who are interested, including carers, pastoral care workers, Chaplains, lifestyle and leisure and activity coordinators and support staff.
We will be attending the conference Medical Elective and are really excited about the opportunity to meet others in the field and experience the opportunity to refresh, restore our inner strength and hear inspiring speakers talk on a variety of topics of interest.
Details: July 6-9, 2010 at Acer Arena Sydney, Australia.
Conference & Medical Elective link
If you are going to attend the conference Medical Elective
and would like to connect with us and others in similar
roles, please let us know and we can arrange to meet for
lunch, sit together and experience this new opportunity together.
To secure seats with us for most of the event, you can add us as a group leader on your application form. Write the name "Jen Freeman, city campus" and this should hopefully keep us as a group for most of the events. What a great way to stand together, hang out and represent our unique body of allied heath care workers! - We've already got a group forming and hope to see you there too!
Click on the "Find out more" logo above to go straight to the 2010 conference info pages...
Learning Space™
Live training at your PC with FutureAge Care; Therapeutic Activities Education including Spirituality 60 minute training option.
Connect your office/work station or even home PC to our office in Sydney...and we'll meet you right at your desk and supply your learning materials and training notes via email as well! This concept keeps your costs to a minimum because: you already have computer access, skype™ is free, you print the training notes out via your own printer and your staff don't have to travel to a location and you don't have to pay for other usual training expenses (such as the trainer's travel time to your location).
View the Online Training Options to select the modules that you would like to book. There are 3 training options to choose from; you can book 1 or more and on different days to break up your training into manageable sessions:
• 1 Multisensory Enrichment
• 2 Spirituality Programs
• 3 Dementia Communication
Once you have booked your timeslot with us we confirm your booking and training modules with you, and we're ready to answer any other queries that you may have. We can trial skyping™ each other first if you would like to ensure that you are comfortable using the application on your PC.
Each training session is 60 minutes and is available for up to 4 participants. Skype™ is required on your computer, along with a webcam (many PCs and Macs have this device already built in). You need to have basic knowledge on how to use your Skype™ function: we have additional notes in the pdf below that you can view and print to find out more about skype™ You can also goto the skype™ website for FAQs & tech support.
Our online Learning Space™ Training Options.pdf
Learning Space™ How To: Booking and skype™ information
Gift Certificates for others
Why not purchase a Gift Certificate online today for someone in your world! Choose your amount and the Gift Certificate will be emailed to them. With a range of beautiful products to help unwind, de-stress, relax, meditate and much more...we can all benefit from the Wellbeing Range at FutureAge Care.
You might wish to consider purchasing an online Gift Certificate for a local nursing home facility or disability care staff team. This is a very practical way in which you can help support your local care teams by assisting them financially to provide up to date resources and therapeutic aids for their clients' unique lifestyle needs.
Click on the button below and simply follow the prompts.
Weblink resources: inspirational poems, spiritual poems and prayers, other websites and links
Pink Poem: inspirational poems, spiritual poems and prayers, links to other sites.
Great Inspirational Quotes:
A beautiful collection of inspirational quotes, poems and short stories for women.
Koorong Bookstore Online stock a range of resources to suit believers of various Christian faith denominations and backgrounds. From large print Bibles to audio Bibles, relaxing worship DVDs, scripture studies and information on grief, loss and healing.
We recommend the "Visions of Worship" DVD range - "To God Be The Glory" is one of the resources - a beautifully inspired creation of favourite instrumental hymns and majestic scenes of nature. Great for the aged care environment and home, you can select the words to display on the screen, or without the words an occasional bible scripture will appear with the music and scenes to inspire and encourage. These DVDs are very relaxing and nurturing for residents of the Christian faith and also those interested in reminiscing on music, school, choir and Sunday school. Click on the Koorong logo to browse the website.
Many pastoral care workers, Diversional Therapy staff and church visitors to the residential and aged care setting undertake CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education). CPE allows you to learn from your own supervised encounters with people in a variety of pastoral situations.
It provides the opportunity for personal growth through reflecting on the way you are performing your ministry, which encourages professional competence and helps improve your effectiveness as a team member.
CPE builds pastoral identity, as you reflect on your own spiritual journey and accompany others on theirs. It helps develop your ability to assess specific concerns arising from differences of cultural, spiritual, ethnic, socioeconomic, psychological and emotional backgrounds.
Clinical Pastoral Education includes:
Action Reflection:
increasing options and improving strategies by learning from your own supervised experiences.
Theological Reflection:
relating the realities of life and your theological journey to the living Word of God.
Supervised pastoral placement:
in an appropriate setting for ministry over a set time.
Giving and receiving:
peer support, understanding and guidance in a small group.
Intense interactions:
as you accompany people going through times of crisis and growth.
Reporting, reflecting on and evaluating:
the effectiveness of your pastoral interactions.
Why not browse the CPE website and consider an Introductory or Basic Unit in CPE. It is a valuable and worthwhile asset for anyone involved in Pastoral Care, Chaplaincy or church visiting within the residential and aged care setting. Nursing staff, Diversional Therapy and Recreation staff also take part in CPE, which has proved a great benefit as they interact with residents providing all levels of emotional, physical and spiritual support. Check the website: CPE (www.cpensw.com)
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