Volunteers Sought For Lay Training In Geriatric Ministry

Aging, with its many challenges, is often a time when spiritual resources and emotional support are vital to the elderly and their families. Unfortunately, there are not enough people trained to provide the pastoral care and spiritual resources so important to an elderly person’s well-being.

Masonicare and its affiliate, Masonicare at Newtown, are meeting that need by offering the “Lay Training in Geriatric Ministry” program. Open to people of all faiths, the program has been teaching basic ministry skills to volunteers from the community for more than 20 years.

The Reverend Anne Baltzell provides the lay training at Masonicare at Newtown. The award-winning program was conceived and designed by Chaplain Baltzell, Masonicare’s director of spiritual services. She has trained more than 40 chaplain volunteers.

Participants in the eight-week training program will attend two-and-a-half hour class sessions on Wednesdays at Masonicare at Newtown. The training program will begin as soon as the class is filled and the time will be decided by group availability.

Topics covered will include “Introduction and Orientation to our Facility,” “The Pastoral Care Visit,” “Dealing with Issues of Loss,” and “Ethical Issues in a Nursing Home Setting.” Continuing education and support sessions will be offered monthly following training.

After completing the course, participants are expected to make a one-year commitment to provide approximately four hours per week of pastoral ministry for Masonicare at Newtown. In addition to making a difference in the lives of residents, volunteers will learn skills that will enable them to minister effectively to older members of their own families, houses of worship, and the community as well.

Anyone interested in participating in the Lay Training in Geriatric Ministry Program at Masonicare at Newtown can call Chaplain Baltzell at 203-679-6257 or email abaltzell@masonicare.org.

The skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, where the Lay Training Program takes place, is located at 139 Toddy Hill Road.

For information about Masonicare at Newtown or to obtain directions, visit Masonicare’s website at www.masonicare.org.