Meaningful Visitation in Hospitals and Retirement Homes

This course is designed for:

  • Adults with a calling or interest in meaningful pastoral/congregational caregiving including:
    • Students completing Certified Lay Ministry training
    • DSAs, Local Pastors, Licensed Local Pastors, etc.
    • Laity with an interest in pastoral care
  • Participants are expected to have:
    • An interest in providing meaningful visitation to those in hospitals and nursing homes.
    • A wish to promote a calm atmosphere for the patient/resident so that they feel at ease.
    • A desire to feel more confident about entering a hospital and/or nursing home room, what to say and do, as well as how to react.

Desired outcomes:

  • Build confidence for those who regularly are called to visit hospitals and nursing homes so that the student can be reassuring and calming to the patient/resident.
  • Learn how to react to various situations in hospitals and nursing homes to make the visit meaningful.
  • Be able to use the tools needed to stay in touch with patient/resident and family.

Learning experiences:

  • Week 1: Introductions and Ground Rules for Pastoral Care
  • Week 2: Personal Experiences with or in Pastoral Care
  • Week 3: Emergency and Crisis Visitation
  • Week 4: Self Reflection and Role-playing

The class is online and requires a computer with access to internet, including a webcam and microphone or headset. Participants must be able to participate in web conferencing and complete online assignments.

Required reading:

Kirkwood, Neville A. A Hospital Visitor’s Handbook (The Do’s and Don’ts of Hospital Visitation). New York: Morehouse Publishing, 2005. ISBN-13: 978-0819222008.

Nouwen, Henri J. M. The Wounded Healer: Ministry in Contemporary Society. New York: Doubleday Image Books, 1972. ISBN-13: 978-0385148030.