Award in Spiritual Dimension in Elderly Care for General Care Givers
The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA (Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Spiritual Dimension in Elderly Care for Healthcare Workers is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 4, as Further Education Programme.
Recognising that spirituality plays a vital role in the overall well-being of older adults, this programme integrates spiritual care within the broader context of holistic caregiving. Designed for healthcare support workers and personal caregivers, it equips participants with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to address the spiritual needs of those they care for.
People working with the elderly e.g. carers and general staff with an MQF level 3 qualification or higher.
This course consists of 11 sessions: 10 lectures and an examination session.
Session 1: Defining Spirituality and Spiritual Care in Healthcare – Competencies in Spiritual Care
Spirituality and spiritual care in health relate to how patients and health professionals seek and express meaning, purpose, connection, value, or transcendence in the context of illness and well-being. A growing body of evidence indicates that spirituality is linked to better health outcomes, patient satisfaction, medical decision-making, and quality of life.
This session will introduce various definitions of spirituality and spiritual care, along with the multidimensional nature of the spiritual field.
Session 2: Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Spirituality
Intraperonal Spirituality focuses on personal spirituality, as providing spiritual care requires healthcare workers to be spiritually grounded themselves. Students will be encouraged to recognise the importance of self-reflection and self-awareness in enhancing their personal growth and effectiveness as providers of spiritual care.
Interpersonal Spirituality involves building relationships with others through effective communication skills. It acknowledges an individual’s unique spiritual and cultural worldviews, fostering feelings of companionship and compassionate care.
Session 3: Spiritual Assessment and Evaluation of Care
In this session, learners are introduced to both formal and informal approaches for assessing patients’ spiritual needs, planning appropriate interventions based on available resources, and evaluating whether these needs have been met.
Session 4: Loss, Grief, and Compassion in the Elderly
Learners will explore the inevitable experiences of grief and loss, as well as feelings of isolation in the elderly. Gaining an understanding of the grief process, as described by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, will help healthcare workers prevent spiritual distress and provide compassionate care for older adults.
Session 5: Spiritual Care in Elderly Rehabilitation
This session will explore the specific spiritual needs of elderly individuals in rehabilitation. It will focus on how healthcare workers can create opportunities for them to engage in creative activities and better confront their feelings of suffering and solitude.
Session 6: Spiritual Care and Mental Health
This session will introduce learners to the various mental health issues that elderly individuals may face and equip healthcare workers with the skills needed to manage and care for them effectively.
Session 7: Spiritual Care in Dementia
This session will introduce learners to dementia in the elderly, providing guidance on managing their care and equipping family members with essential skills to better understand and support their loved ones.
Session 8: The Role of Religion in Spiritual Care for the Elderly
This session will focus on the role of religiosity as an integral aspect of spiritual care.
Session 9: The Sacraments in Different Religions and Spirituality
Learners will explore religious practices across various denominations within society.
Session 10: Case Scenarios in the Spiritual Dimension of Elderly Care
This session will present various case scenarios to assess and evaluate learners’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes acquired throughout the programme, enabling them to apply these effectively when caring for the elderly.
Accreditation Category: Further Education Programme
Total ECTS: 4 ECTS
Award Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute
The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA (Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Spiritual Dimension in Elderly Care for Healthcare Workers is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 4, as Further Education Programme.
Qualifications: Applicants must possess a minimum of an MQF/EQF Level 3 or higher qualification. Kindly submit a copy of your highest qualification in the application form below.
Language: Applicants must have a basic understanding of Maltese and be proficient in English.
Digital: Applicants must be proficient in accessing and using the internet and office software suites.
For courses offered in face-to-face learning and blended learning, applicants must reside in the Maltese Islands and provide their Maltese address in their application form.
