Pastoral Care during palliation a vital support

13 May 2024

John knew Corpus Christi Community Greenvale (CCCG) would be the last place he would live.

The 90-year-old had called CCCG (a residence for marginalised older men) home for 21 years before he passed away late last month.

May 19-25 is National Palliative Care Week, aimed to raise awareness about the importance of talking about death and dying.

VMCH offers palliative care to aged care residents at the end-of-life stage, and through its specialised palliative comfort care centre, O’Neill House, in Prahran.

An important part of VMCH’s palliative care is its 27-person strong Pastoral Care team, who provide emotional and spiritual support to residents and families throughout their journey with VMCH. The support is particularly vital to residents – like John – who have no family or friends at the end-of-life phase.

As Corpus’ longest residing person, John had forged some lasting bonds with fellow residents and staff since he moved in decades ago.

I was in Sydney basically living in a gutter before here,” John recalled. “My sister, who was a Catholic nun, got me in here. It saved my life. When my sister passed on recently, the support the staff gave me was wonderful. I have been really well looked after, and I appreciate it.”

Also important to John was his Catholic faith. “I got that back being here. We have a chapel on-site. I know that I will die here, and I am happy with that.”

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Acknowledgement of Country

We here at VMCH respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we gather, and we would like to take a moment to honour the fact that we live on the lands of the oldest civilisation in the world. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.