Why Spiritual Health Matters for Seniors

​Check out this delightful interview that Martin Luther’s Marysue Moses (Dimensions Program Coordinator) conducted with David Cobb, BCC, Director of Spiritual Health at Martin Luther Campus. David Cobb’s experiences at Martin Luther explain why Spiritual Health is very important for residents at Martin Luther.

​David Cobb’s Injury Experience 

​One day, I walked into the Martin Luther Care Center with a big purple cast on my arm and one of our residents (I’ll call her Peg) asked me what happened. “I have a ruptured biceps tendon,” I explained. Peg winced for a moment, then grinned mischievously. “Now you know what it’s like for those of us dealing with injuries and health problems!” she said. 

Since I had a cast put on my arm, it’s been a challenge to button my shirt, tie my shoes, slice a watermelon, etc. There’s a lot of activities that I took for granted when I could easily do them; like riding my bike, mowing the lawn, serving communion, and more.

As I’ve gone through this process, it is not hard to imagine how difficult it is for our residents to adjust to their health problems and injuries. It's especially hard when their challenges are more permanent and their mind, body, and spirit don’t heal like they used to.

Overcoming Spiritual Distress

Any unexpected shift in autonomy, sense of identity, and connection to others indicates a potential source of spiritual distress.
 
As a Chaplain at the Martin Luther Campus, I have the privilege of helping residents and their families identify distress and we develop ways to cope with the challenges that the residents face. Some residents have given up a home, a job and their role in providing for their family, responsibility for a pet, control of the kitchen, and more. These losses can trigger anger, shame, despair, anxiety, loneliness, or fear.
 
We are here to help with these losses and we provide Spiritual Care, Pastoral Care, Interdisciplinary Care, Weekly Worship, and more for all of our residents at Martin Luther. The Martin Luther Campus supports residents, families, and staff to integrate Spiritual Health with their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

David Cobb's Closing Thoughts

​I’m not happy about my injury and it’s going to take a long time to heal. However, my injury is making me more aware of the spiritual distress our residents may feel in their new transitions and this better prepares me to help and encourage them through their new journeys.
 
Peg asks about my arm each time she sees me now and this reminds me that a lot of our residents have a spiritual need to care for others, just like we care for them. We are not just care-givers for our patients, but care partners with them as they head into the next stage of life and Spiritual Growth.
 
 
At the Martin Luther Campus in Bloomington, MN, we offer many spiritual health programs. We know firsthand how spiritual health can make an impact in your life or the life of a loved one. 

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Martin Luther Campus is part of the Ebenezer family of Lutheran Senior Care Communities. We provide transitional care and assisted living apartments for seniors in Bloomington. We also have adult day clubs and memory care programs for seniors living at home. We’re located at 1401 East 100th St. Bloomington, MN. Are you interested in transitioning to assisted living or do you have a loved one that needs assisted living? Call us at  952.888.7751