With funding support from the Government of Alberta, Bethany’s Advancing Spirituality in Palliative Care team has launched a learning initiative to reshape the perception of spirituality within continuing care.

The Advancing Spirituality in Palliative Care Learning Program is bridging the gap between theory and practice. It reinforces the significance of spirituality in improving residents’ quality of life and encourages employees to incorporate spiritual care into everyday practice.

Steve Friesen, Executive Director for Research and Innovation at Bethany, says, “In person-centred holistic care, we need to look at every facet of the resident, including their spiritual dimension.”

Traditionally equated to religious beliefs and practices, spirituality is redefined in this project as a facet of personhood, encompassing whatever brings meaning and purpose to an individual’s life.

Spirituality can be lived out in many ways— how the person connects to self, others, creativity, nature, and something bigger, which may or may not include a higher power. Through this lens, spirituality can mean something different to everyone, and so does providing spiritual care.

“Our aim is to shift perspectives and increase staff awareness about the crucial role of spiritual care provision in person-centred care,” Friesen explained. “This endeavour will fundamentally alter how we deliver care in the future and serve as a model for others.”

Spiritual care is no longer the sole responsibility of specialists; it is an interdisciplinary responsibility shared among the care team and an essential consideration in the everyday care of our residents.

Early results show increased staff awareness of broader spiritual health and their capacity to provide spiritual care using this approach.

Isleta Ricketts, Project Lead, Advancing Spirituality in Palliative Care, says, “We’re observing a shift. Staff are actively discussing the spiritual needs of our residents, exploring what gives their lives meaning and purpose, and prompting deeper conversations about their identity.”