Spiritual Care at Perham Living: Meeting the Needs of Residents and Families

At Perham Living, we understand that moving into a long-term care community does not mean leaving behind one’s spiritual needs. Spiritual care is an essential part of resident well-being.

Under the leadership of Madison Malstrom, Resident Engagement Manager, and McKay Ness, Chaplain, Perham Living provides various spiritual services to nurture faith, comfort, and a sense of belonging.

What is a Chaplain?

A chaplain provides spiritual care to individuals, regardless of their religious beliefs. As Chaplain, McKay describes his role as providing “spiritual care for our residents that includes leading services, offering prayers, reading scripture, or simply being present for those in need of comfort.”

Before becoming a chaplain, he was a licensed practical nurse, where he often found himself providing spiritual support to patients. “Working in healthcare, especially through COVID, I saw a great need for spiritual care. That experience led me to pursue my Christian studies degree and become a chaplain.”

Spiritual Services at Perham Living

Perham Living has a chapel and offers a range of spiritual services to accommodate the diverse faith backgrounds of our residents:

• Sunday Worship Services – Sundays at 10:30 AM.
• Wednesday Church Services – Rotating ministers from the Perham community lead a general worship service and visit with residents.
• Catholic Mass – Every Friday.
• Rosary Prayer –Tuesday afternoons.
• Devotions and Hymns – On each month’s first and last Thursday, local clergy and volunteers lead devotions and hymn singing.

Beyond these structured services, “McKay spends a significant amount of time offering one-on-one visits to those who need extra care, whether it’s reading scripture, praying together, or just sitting and chatting,” Madison highlights.

End-of-Life Care and the Walk of Honor

One of the most significant aspects of spiritual care at Perham Living is supporting residents and their families through end-of-life transitions.

“A lot of times, it’s just about being present,” he explains. “Sometimes, it’s reading scripture, sometimes it’s playing music, and sometimes it’s just holding their hand. If family can’t be there or they don’t have family, I’ll be with them.”

When residents pass away, they are celebrated with a Walk of Honor. Staff, fellow residents, and family gather as the resident is escorted out of the facility, offering prayers and sharing stories. “You come in the front door, and when it’s your time to leave, you go out the front door. We make sure every resident’s life is honored with dignity,” says Madison.

A Support System for All

“We understand that not everyone practices a particular faith,” Madison notes. “For some, spiritual care means having a friendly person to sit and visit with.”

McKay and Madison ensure that all residents feel supported, even those of non-Christian faiths. “We’ve had Buddhist and Islamic residents move in, and we took the time to research how we could best support them. We learn about different faith traditions and strive to meet each person’s needs.”

A Chaplain Who Becomes Family

“I love the conversations that I have with our residents. It’s the most important aspect of my job. I feel like I have a hundred grandparents here,” McKay shares. “They ask me about my life, they check in on my family—it’s a truly special relationship.”

Many families request him to officiate or speak at their loved one’s funeral services. “It’s incredibly humbling to be asked to continue serving families even after their loved one has passed,” he shares.

A Community of Compassion

At Perham Living, spiritual care is about faith, connection, support, and love. No matter a resident’s beliefs, spiritual needs will be met with dignity and respect.