Spiritual care is an important part of hospice at the Good Samaritan Society.

Chaplains start providing individualized care to patients and their families shortly after a patient is admitted. Each person’s wishes and needs are incorporated in the plan of care.

“Spiritual care at the end of life offers a way to meet patients where they are by supporting them in identifying their legacy and values,” says Theresa Gehrke-Herwynen, hospice chaplain at Sanford Bemidji Home Care and Hospice.

Comforting conversations and life review

Chaplains use various ways to comfort patients based on their unique needs, values and desires.

“That might include processing and identifying feelings, concerns, or spiritual questions. Often the question is why, or what is dying going to be like,” Theresa says.

Chaplains may help patients complete a life review and ask them what they want people to remember about them. There may also be conversations to identify fears, concerns, and any other issues that are causing distress or worry.

“Sometimes people have issues at the end of life that they would like to resolve in terms of relationships. An example might be reconciling with a loved one with whom they’ve been estranged,” says Theresa.

In addition to talking with patients and helping them process emotions, chaplains may also use prayer, hymns, meditation, guided imagery and sacramental rites to help patients if those things are important to them. They also offer patients a way to connect to communities of faith if that is something they desire.

Some patients find peace by praying with their family. Others find contentment when their family members get to share something that is important about their relationship with them.

Still others find comfort in planning a funeral or memorial service so that it won’t be a burden to the family.

Meaningful moments provide peace

At a time when patients and their families may be experiencing a variety of emotions, chaplains provide a non-anxious, non-judgmental presence.

“Chaplains come in without an agenda and are a listening and calm presence. We talk about whatever a patient wants to talk about. Spiritual care is different for each person. For some, it’s faith in Jesus. There are others who believe differently or have no religious connection, and we make room for that,” says Theresa.

With a chaplain’s care, patients can find new ways to make meaningful moments. Theresa has worked with patients who have engaged in legacy projects where they create something to leave their loved ones.

“One person enjoyed poetry and bought 10 copies of a poetry book. She found a poem for each person and wrote in each book why she picked that particular poem for the person. It was her way of blessing her loved ones,” Theresa says.

“Spiritual care does amazing things. People have found a sense of peace. For example, I’ve worked with veterans who are struggling with things they did in the military and wondering if God can forgive them.

They have been able to work through those issues,” Theresa says.

It often takes creativity on the part of the hospice team to meet a patient where they are. Chaplains provide care to people with dementia who are nonverbal. One nonverbal patient that Theresa encountered had been a quilter.

“We took quilts and had the person feel the different fabric and look at the colors,” she says.

Another patient had been a farmer and his goal was to get back to his farm, but that wasn’t possible so we brought the farm to him and had a petting zoo,” says Theresa.

Support for families

The care provided in the hospice setting is for patients and families. It continues to be available to the family after the patient has died.

Families receive bereavement support for 13 months in a variety of ways, including letters that let the family know there are services available to them.

“The chaplain can provide support in terms of those really deep spiritual questions that some people might have and are wrestling with after the patient’s death,” says Theresa.

During her eight years as a hospice chaplain, she has helped multiple patients and their loved ones.

“I feel honored and privileged to be allowed in people’s lives in very tender and difficult moments,” Theresa says.