LAKE PLACID — Mercy Care for the Adirondacks, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, is scaling up its programs to meet the growing and complex needs of elder neighbors to include spiritual companion care.
Mercy Care is launching its new Spiritual Care Companion Volunteer Program, in collaboration with Jane Stratton, parish nurse educator, and Christine Voce, St. Agnes Church outreach coordinator.
A Mercy Care Spiritual Care Companion Volunteer will receive training to accompany an elder on their spiritual journey who may be experiencing loss, grief, spiritual or physical distress, transitions in living circumstances, joys or blessings in their life.
The Spiritual Care Companion Volunteer serves as a caring presence and compassionate listener to issues of concern to the elder by being fully present in mind, heart, and soul to the elder’s experience of loneliness, pain, struggle, or joy in telling their story.
The Spiritual Care Companion Volunteer Training Program is provided free of charge, but registration is required. The training will be held in Lake Placid on March 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Complementary lunch will be provided. To register, please visit Mercy Care’s website: www.adkmercy.org/event/spiritual-volunteer-training-march19/ or contact Lexi Bevilacqua, Mercy Care’s Program and Mission Integration Director, at abevilacqua@adkmercy.org or call Lexi for more information at 518-523-5446.
Mercy Care offers spiritual care in accordance with each elder’s personal desires, values, and faith, and in collaboration with the elder’s choice of a faith community, or no faith community. Mercy Care, understood in this manner, continues the traditions and charism of the Sisters of Mercy.
Mercy Care receives requests for a Spiritual Care Companion Volunteer from elders themselves, their families, friends, or clergy. If you would like to request a Spiritual Care Companion Volunteer or refer an elder to our Spiritual Care Companion Program, please contact Katherine Rhodes, Mercy Care’s director of elder care and volunteer services at krhodes@askmercy.org or by phone at 518-523-5585.
Mercy Care’s mission is to enhance in every dimension the fullness of life of elders living in our community. Mercy Care serves any older adult in need, within its capacity.
Mercy Care for the Adirondacks is governed by a local board of directors and relies solely on grants and charitable gifts from individuals, businesses, and foundations for its support. Mercy Care’s services are provided free of charge to those assisted.
Mercy Care can be reached at 185 Old Military Road, Lake Placid, NY 12946, by calling Donna Beal, Executive Director, at 518-523-5581, or by e-mail at dbeal@adkmercy.org For more information, visit Mercy Care’s web site at http://www.adkmercy.org