Religion plays a central role in the lives of many older adults. How can you maintain this crucial connection if you enter a senior living facility? After all, you may no longer be able to attend your neighborhood church. You may also have less contact with members of your old congregation. To meet your religious needs, consider joining a faith-based retirement community. A chaplaincy program in this kind of community will help you keep religious practice at the forefront of your daily life. Reach out to Parkway Place at 281.305.1846 to learn more.
What Is Faith-Based Senior Living?
Faith-based senior living communities are communities with ties to a religious or spiritual tradition. These ties may have only played a role in the founding of a given community. But in many cases, they continue to play a role in that community’s everyday life.
However, this does not necessarily mean that a facility is directly affiliated with a church or tradition. In fact, it’s common for faith-based facilities to lack such an affiliation. In addition, some communities are nondenominational by design. For this reason, they can serve the needs of people from multiple faiths or religious traditions.
Most faith-based communities operate as nonprofits. This means that they operate for a public or social benefit, not merely to make money. Such an approach is in line with the principles of most religious groups.
What Is a Chaplaincy Program at a Faith-Based Retirement Community?
A well-rounded, faith-based senior living community may provide a chaplaincy program for its residents. Chaplains are certified clergy members who work for organizations other than a church. Like church ministers, they conduct weekly religious services. They also do things such as:
- Perform religious rites for those who can’t or don’t attend weekly services
- Offer individualized counseling
- Support community residents in moments of crisis
- Provide the same kind of support for resident’s family members
The specific role of a chaplain may vary between faith-based senior living communities.
How Can You Benefit From a Faith-Based Senior Living Community?
Faith-based senior living offers a variety of potential benefits for seniors. Common examples of these benefits include:
- The ability to actively practice your faith in retirement
- A chance to worship with others who share your faith
- The opportunity to live in a multi-faith setting
- Round-the-clock support from your chaplain
A chaplaincy program can also help you strengthen your religious commitments. This is important to many seniors as they grow older over time.
Finding a Suitable Community
How can you tell if a senior living community is faith-based? As a rule, communities of this type are pretty open about their orientation. A quick look at their websites should let you know their standing vis-a-vis religious practice. You can also call facilities in your area and ask about their faith-related status.
You might also want to check on the availability of a chaplaincy program. Many faith-based facilities will feature such a program. However, some may not. In addition, you may want to ask about the chaplain’s duties in any community you’re considering.
Get More Information on Faith-Based Senior Living at Parkway Place
Does faith play an essential role in your day-to-day life? If so, a faith-based community is likely high on your list of retirement priorities. Have more questions about these kinds of communities? Talk to the senior living specialists at Parkway Place. We’re happy to fill you in on the details of a faith-based approach to retirement.
Parkway Place is both faith-based and nonprofit. We actively seek to help you maintain and strengthen your religious commitments. We also feature a comprehensive chaplaincy program. To learn more, just call us today at 281.305.1846. You can also contact us through our online form.