Body
Spiritual care is available for all inpatients at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab to meet the variety of spiritual needs and concerns that can arise during a rehabilitation course of care. Often, hospitalizations cause both patients and their families to reevaluate issues of value and meaning in life. Remaining connected to what gives one guidance and purpose can be extremely important.
Spiritual Care resources are available. Some will find music, literature and art as sources of encouragement, motivation and courage. Others will find family, friends and significant people to inspire hope and drive. Many will draw on their faith and seek religious rituals and spiritual practices to connect to the sacred and stay focused and energized throughout their course of treatment.
Belief systems can become more complex, and sensitive to deep reflection and movement as one faces new realities or a shift in ability. Chaplains are available to be of support and encourage those connections and assist with spiritual resources for inner strength, peace, resilience and personal dignity.
Spiritual Care Service
Body
Chaplains visit inpatients to introduce the service and provide assessments to identify spiritual care needs or concerns. This step is taken to determine if spiritual care support is needed for the patient’s admission. If needed, the Chaplain will develop a plan of care with the patient’s consent for admission. This visit also allows the patient to learn of all the available offerings (meditation at bedside, in-person groups, worship services, etc.) at the time of admission.
Visit requests can come from patients, family, staff and community clergy. Chaplains respect the religious views of all patients and endeavor to support each person’s beliefs, as much as they are able. Spiritual care support can range from a one-time-only visit to ongoing care during the patient’s admission.
Worship Opportunities
Body
Chaplains encourage people of all religious backgrounds to worship, observe or practice in their own manner. While maintaining normal practices can be challenging during hospitalization, we have two worship services that could serve as a supplement. Services can be attended in person in the 10th floor or watched on Channel 61 from patient rooms.
Two worship services are regularly scheduled:
- Inter-denominational Christian service on Sunday morning from 10:15–10:45 am.
- Catholic Mass on Tuesday evening from 5–5:30 pm.
- Patients and families are encouraged to continue observing holidays and rituals as needed and as they are able.
The Chapel is located on the southwest corner of the 10th floor, open 24 hours a day and welcoming to everyone. This is a public space within Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Worship services, meditation sessions, prayer groups and educational sessions are scheduled weekly. Each activity is open to all, walk-ins are welcome for listening, observing or participating.
Next to the Spiritual Care Department is a room for our patients, families and staff desiring a private space for prayer throughout the day. Prayer rugs and compasses are available as needed.
Resources available upon request:
- Copies of the Quran, Muslim prayer rugs and Muslim prayer beads.
- Copies of the Torah, the Tanakh, Challah and Juice and Sabbath candles.
- Bibles, books on prayer, Daily Word booklets and Lap Robes.
- Catholic communion offered by Ministers of Care from the Holy Name Cathedral.
- Chaplains can connect with home clergy to request visits.
- Valet Parking is available to visiting clergy with proper identification.
The Spiritual Care Department provides content on Channel 62, which offers music and nature videos 24 hours a day. Patients can view any service in the Chapel by watching Chanel 61.
Complementary Therapies
Body
The Spiritual Care Department also provides weekly meditation and progressive relaxation groups. Privately arranged times for guided imagery, relaxation, and meditation are also available upon request.
The Spiritual Care department is across from the Chapel on the 10th floor, #10-1703. Chaplains are reachable by the office number 312.238.1200 (in-house ext. 81200).