IN 2016, CALIFORNIA BISHOPS and Catholic healthcare leaders collaborated on an initiative designed to expand spiritual, emotional and medical needs of individuals facing serious illness.
The Whole Person Care Initiative was launched as a response to a 2014 Institute of Medicine report, which found that faith was often overlooked in conventional care settings. The initiative, which also came about in response to the “death with dignity” law, that took effect in California in 2016, is meant to assist individuals and families in making informed, ethical decisions consistent with their faith and personal values.
Every diocese in California is tasked with managing the Whole Person Care Initiative in alignment with the needs of its congregations. In the Diocese of Orange, much of that responsibility belongs to Rebecca Freeman, pastoral care ministry coordinator with the Office of Family Life. Forming partnerships with local health care providers, caregivers, ministries and other services plays a vital role in the implementation of the Whole Person Care Initiative, according to Freeman.
LINDA JI, DIRECTOR OF THE DIOCESE’S OFFICE OF FAMILY LIFE, AND ANTHONY VULTAGGIO OF THE ORANGE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION WERE PRESENT FOR THE CEREMONIAL GRAND OPENING OF MAGNIFICARE HOME CARE IN FULLERTON. PHOTO BY SCOTT SMELTZER/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
“Part of it on a very practical level, when we are supporting people, it’s not just spiritual, it’s whole person,” she said. “There are very practical resources people are looking for in terms of care facilities, in terms of agencies or of caregiving, so we seek out and make good partnerships. We can never fully endorse a particular care facility but we can have a general sense of where we can refer people.”
One diocesan partnership that has been successful is with Magnificare, a local in-home care provider that offers a variety of services to homebound seniors. Depending on the needs of the client, Magnificare’s services include help with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, walking and exercising. Caregivers can also clean, prepare meals, shop and ensure clients take their medications.
Magnificare has provided care to several diocesan priests, including Fr. Joe Nettekoven, a priest for 50 years and pastor emeritus of San Antonio de Padua del Cañon Catholic Church in Anaheim Hills. Fr. Nettekoven was invited to speak at Magnificare’s grand opening event recently for its new office in Fullerton.
After undergoing a second open-heart surgery, Fr. Nettekoven, 80, needed in-home care around the clock.
“They’ve taken care of a couple of our priests,” Fr. Nettekoven said. “One of the priests was my classmate. So, it was good to see firsthand how they treat people.”
He added, “When I needed assistance, I had their caretakers come and they were just absolutely delightful to have around.”
Also in attendance at Magnificare’s grand opening was Anthony Vultaggio of The Orange Catholic Foundation and Linda Ji, director of the diocese’s Office of Family Life.
“The point of the Whole Person Care Initiative is for us as a church to ensure all of our parishioners and community members feel loved, wanted and worthy, from
the beginning to the end of life,” Ji said. “Magnificare is the kind of organization that really pays attention to people’s needs in providing caregiving for that very purpose.”
She continued, “They’ve been a great partner when we have training and awareness events and conferences and things like that.”
The Office of Family Life also plays supportive roles in marriage preparation, marriage enrichment and pastoral care for families, Ji said.
The office also provides resources to help with mental health domestic violence, sick and homebound, and grief and bereavement.