Baycrest Health Sciences & Baycrest Foundation Publications
Issue link: http://baycrest.uberflip.com/i/826008
COMMUNITY SPIRITUAL CARE At Baycrest, we recognize that healthcare involves treating the whole person and that spiritual well- being can help improve health and quality of life. Spiritual care attends to spiritual or religious needs as a person copes with illness, loss, grief or pain and can help someone heal emotionally as well as physically, rebuild relationships and regain a sense of spiritual well-being. There is no one definition of spirituality, but in general, spirituality: • is something everyone can experience • helps us to find meaning and purpose in the things we value • can bring hope in times of suffering and loss • encourages us to seek peace with ourselves, others and what lies beyond Spiritual care professionals are an integral part of the Baycrest interprofessional team and provide spiritual care to residents, patients, families and staff of all faiths, as well as those with no religious affiliation. The Spiritual Care team, consisting of chaplains, interns and volunteers, also provides education, consultation, guidance and advocacy for religious and cultural accommodation in the healthcare setting. Synagogues are located in the Terraces and in the Posluns building. The Spiritual Care team guides itself by four core principles to address the spiritual and religious needs of patients, residents, families and staff: 1. CARE for all with respect for all religious and spiritual paths, which may or may not be rooted in a religious tradition. 2. PROVIDE faith-specific religious care and support, including ritual observance, kashrut (dietary laws) and prayer, for those of the Jewish faith within the various expressions of Judaism. 3. FACILITATE for all religious beliefs of faiths other than Judaism, including provision of ritual items, sacred texts and a place for worship. 4. ADVISE leadership to ensure the free exercise of religion, to counsel on moral and ethical issues and decision-making, and to abide by the legal and philosophical positions of Jewish law (Halakhah) and Jewish theology (Hashkafah). 42