Spirit Alive: A multi-sensory and incarnational approach to spiritual care for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive impairments amidst the pandemic
90 Minute Workshops ~ Sunday, August 21, 2022 – 2:45pm to 4:15pm
Workshop Level: Intermediate*
NACC Certification Competencies: PPS2, PPS3, PPS9
Presenters
Emily Southerton MA
Associate Chaplain, Phoebe Ministries
Wernersville, PA
Dr. Scott Brooks-Cope ACPE Certified Educator
Director of Pastoral Care Services, Phoebe Ministries
Allentown, PA
About this workshop
For those of us who know, love, and support individuals experiencing cognitive loss related to dementia, it is very important that the aspects of the individual that make them uniquely human are never lost. Phoebe Ministries and the Center for Excellence in Dementia Care began exploring and creating innovative approaches for providing pastoral care and spiritual enrichment for persons with dementia. The goal of Spirit Alive is for individuals with “mid-stage” dementia to experience an active relationship with God. Spirit Alive blends “Godly Play,” “Validation Therapy,” and “Montessori” principles with the purpose of offering an incarnational faith experience.
As a result of this workshop, participants will:
- Apply the history and conceptual overview of the pilot program, Spirit Alive, unearthing an approach to pastoral care that promotes spiritual openness and inclusivity of race, religion, and cognitive impairment.
- Describe the components of Spirit Alive.
- Discuss the value of Spirit Alive to address spiritual care for persons experiencing cognitive impairment in group settings amidst the pandemic.
Educational Materials
(recommended books, articles, or websites for participants to review prior to the workshop)
Spirit Alive at Phoebe Ministries (7 min. video)
Presentation Materials
(items to be brought to the workshop and/or presentation materials)
– none required
The NACC categorizes workshops on three levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. The definitions of each level are provided below.
Beginner: Basic information on the topic for those with little background in the area.
Intermediate: Basic plus additional information on the topic for those with some background in the area.
Advanced: Specialized information on the topic for those with extensive experience and/or knowledge in the area.
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