Chaplain Jennell faithfully serves residents and their families, as well as Ohio Living Mount Pleasant employees, no matter what faith journey they’re on. While she is ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), during her two-year tenure, she has had the privilege to uplift residents of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Agnostic and Atheist belief systems.
“When people come to our community, as a staff, we tell them that they have a safety net that surrounds them and is always here in case they need it,” explained Jennell. “I am part of that safety net, and I love having the opportunity to pray for and support our residents, families and staff.”
Week to week, Jennell oversees weekly worship services, offers bible studies, and partners with local congregations to facilitate an array of support groups and educational activities in the on-site chapel.
“Like any faith community, I am blessed to have many residents and outside community members who volunteer to help with all of our Spiritual Life events for residents, staff and their families,” said Jennell. “I work with our program and activities staff to offer four different bible studies on campus, one for each of our Care Services. I also partner with local congregations to offer additional Christian education opportunities, grief support groups, caregiver support and many other activities.”
Outside of Ohio Living Mount Pleasant, Jennell also works with local clergy to provide much-needed support for their congregations. For example, she and Chaplain Clair from Ohio Living Home Health & Hospice teach a six-week course for caregivers. “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” is an evidence-based program produced and maintained by the Iowa State University Research Extension and supported by the Butler County Council on Aging and Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio. The program focuses on helping caregivers with resources, self-care tools and communication strategies, and it is open to residents, families of residents and those in the greater community.
Janelle added, “We have had wonderful success with the program. I have heard positive feedback from residents whose loved ones have taken the course, and those that have taken it themselves. They’ve remarked that they notice a difference in their ability to manage crisis situations, as well as everyday surprises that happen.”
On the home front, Janelle is married to her loving husband, Mike, and the couple has two children. The entire family volunteers together at Ohio Living Mount Pleasant. As a volunteer, Mike leads an adaptive handbell choir called "Ring for Joy" that is focused on helping those who love music to be able to continue to use their gifts. He also offers a Technology Workshop in the chapel twice a month for those who are having difficulty with technology to come, ask questions and get advice from someone who manages Information Technology in the workplace.
Janelle’s children, Caleb and Beka, volunteer at the Health Care Center at Ohio Living Mount Pleasant with worship and greeting residents. They also come to many of the chapel’s funeral services to help create a safe place for the family's grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who need to be present with their families, but also need a place to get away from it all when they are overwhelmed.
When asked what guidance she would give to people who are considering entering the healthcare field as a profession, Janelle shared, “One of the hardest things to do is to remember to put the same amount of care in yourself as you do into those you are caring for. I like to think of it in terms of playing the bagpipe. We all have this huge reserve of love, grace, hope and joy that we share with those we are caring for, but if you play for too long, without adding air to that reserve, the quality of what you produce will diminish. So, make sure that you have a way to breathe grace, love, hope and joy back into yourself. Be it through church, friends, community involvement, gardening, sports, music, etc. Find something that allows you to replenish, before you start a career of professional caregiving.”