Older people, spirituality and faith Caritas Social Action Network

CSAN overview: our mission “There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. “ Acts 4: 34,35

CSAN’s History CSAN was established in 2003 as a single agency from the amalgamation of three bodies of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW): Caritas Social Action Network Social Welfare Committee Catholic Child Welfare Council (CCWC) Catholic Agency for Social Concern (CASC)

CSAN’s members 33 member organisations Catholic Ethos Providing social care services to vulnerable and marginalised people in areas such as: – Children and Families – Older People – People with Disabilities – Homeless people – Ex-offenders/Prisoners – Migrants/ Asylum seekers

St David's Children Society Cymdeithas Plant Dewi Sant

Previous projects & publications ‘Community Care – the challenge for the Catholic Church’ CASC and Social Welfare Commission (2000) ‘Women in Prison’ CASC (1999) ‘Australian Child Migrant Project’ CCWC & CSAN (2005)

CSAN projects and publications ‘Catholic Social Justice’ (2007) ‘The Length of Days’ (2007) ‘It’s still ME, Lord...’ A film exploring spirituality and dementia (2009)

The Length of Days Church has continuous responsibility for social, physical and spiritual well being of older people Lack of communication and sharing of best practice Religious Orders and other Catholic Care Home providers will have to involve and consult lay professionals to adapt to changes in the market

National Mapping of Services to Older People: Aims Uncover range and diversity of services Identify what is distinctive about Catholic care Highlight models of innovative outreach Map service provision of residential care Develop online directory 

Demographic Projections Over the next 10 years the population over 65 will grow by 25%, reaching 11.1 million in people are experiencing dementia, numbers are expected to increase by 1 million over the next 15 years Majority of old people live in private households

Mapping: Key Problems Affecting Older People Dementia Isolation Fear Absence of community (immobility) Financial Situation Language and Cultural Sensitivity

Mapping: Key Strengths of Catholic service providers Ethos and values of dignity and respect Church is both universal and local Aim to “add value” Unity and collegiality  Spirituality provision is the most distinctive characteristic

Recommendation: Dementia More work needs to be done Training for carers especially to recognise early signs of dementia Spiritual needs  DVD and training days “It’s still ME, Lord...”

‘It’s Still ME Lord’ A training resource, focus on those working with dementia patients Increasing focus on person-centred approaches to care and support of people with dementia And recognise their dignity and rights Need to ensure that their spiritual needs as well as the practice of their faith are both acknowledged and met

“It’s still ME, Lord...” Aims: Develop awareness of spiritual and pastoral needs of people with dementia and their carers Build on good practice from faith communities Outcomes: Develop training and awareness DVD Distribute DVD to all parishes Online resources (toolkit) on CSAN website Launch Seminar (Oct 2009) Training Seminars across England and Wales (throughout 2010)

“It’s still ME, Lord...” Facts and Figures: 2500 DVDs distributed 500 delegates attended training seminars Wide range of interest – including organisations from other Christian faiths Total expenditure: £55,867 Total income: £41,495

“It’s still ME, Lord...” Evaluation overall evaluations of DVD and training were very positive managers and senior staff need awareness raising too practical and pastoral aspects were key recognised need for planning future action need for organisations to co-operate with each other

Address by Archbishop Vincent Nichols to the Faith in Health Conference, June 2010 There is a very real sense in which the future carries the memory of the elderly. It does not let them fall into oblivion…. Carried in the family we have cared for; in the friends we have supported; in the works that we have done; in the society we have helped to sustain and build; in the Church to which we have given our lives

‘Being fully human’ The deepest and simplest thing that society can do is to carry that memory Carrying the gift of memory is what ‘It’s Still Me Lord’ is really all about.

The story of Gladys Wilson

Where is God as dementia advances ? Perhaps the person with dementia – freed from all pretension, totally incapable of spiritual self-examination – might be an icon of God’s grace to us ?...in the divine dance of Trinitarian love we are welcomed as partners; we are drawn into the fellowship of the Father, Son and Spirit, even when we have forgotten the steps – dementia reminds us of our own frailty Rosalie Hudson