Jessica’s family had to make one of the hardest decisions of their lives. Jessica was 93 years old and still living on her own when she fell and broke her hip.

After some time in hospital, it was clear that she was not going to be able to cope at home on her own for a long time. None of her adult children had the time to care for her and they couldn’t afford to have live-in help. Only one alternative presented itself. A nursing home.

Jessica had been quite independent. While her daughter helped with the little bit of shopping each week and others were able to drive her to doctors’ appointments and the like, one of her greatest joys had been living close enough to her church that she could still walk there every Sunday. The only nursing home bed available was some distance from Jessica’s home, which meant even her minister found it difficult to make regular visits. Even though she was in a Chesalon nursing home with its Christian focus, Jessica began to feel quite isolated from her Christian family at church. She had been visited by the Chaplain when she was first admitted, and there were daily devotions, but Jessica just missed the fellowship she had with individuals at church.

Then one day Mary walked into Jessica’s room and introduced herself. “Hello. My name’s Mary and I’m a volunteer Chaplain.” Mary is a woman in her mid 70’s and still very active. Jessica invited her to sit and they began to talk. To Jessica it seemed like ten minutes but they talked for an hour and half.

That was 12 months ago and Jessica has since gone to be with the Lord. Mary had brought to her the Christian fellowship she had missed and longed for. Mary says, “It was wonderful just sharing with Jessica in the last few months of her life. She had led such a rich life and so loved the Lord. I felt like I was being ministered to each time I visited her, even though that was my job, to minister to her. I love being a Chaplain here. I’ve been trained well. They’re not all Christians in here you know. So I get to share my faith with some folk who don’t know the Lord. It’s wonderful.”

Old age and end of life are rarely easy things to talk about let alone negotiate. Jessica’s family were so grateful for the ministry Mary had to her. They formed a strong bond of Christian fellowship with her as well.

ANGLICARE’s Chesalon Chaplains are always looking for volunteers. Many are like Mary who have retired and want to be involved in Christian ministry. Some of them are able to be involved a whole day a week, some half a day a month.

Chesalon gives these volunteer Chaplains training in issues around ageing and in pastoral care. If you’re interested, give me a call: 9895 8071. We’re also organising a Pastoral Care Ageing Expo at Figtree Anglican on 3 November.Click here for a registration form. Who knows? You could be spending some of your time in fellowship with people like Jessica, or even have the privilege of seeing someone come to faith in Christ in the last months of their life.