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Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Q: How many people are living in nursing homes and how many have been abandoned?

A: There are approximately 1.2 million elderly people living in nursing homes in the US, according to a 2024 Statista report. Many of them don't have regular visitors or someone to advocate for them, but St. John Lutheran Church in Farmington Hills is doing something about it.

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Q: What is the Pathways in Compassion program and how does it help?

A: Pathways in Compassion is a nursing home visitation ministry and a program that matches volunteers with individuals living in nursing home facilities who do not have regular visitors.

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Q: Who founded the Pathways in Compassion program?

A: The Rev. Dr. Mark Fisher, Pastor of St. John, initially founded the program while he was the Pastor at Transfiguration Lutheran Church in Fenton, Michigan, as a result of his experiences visiting parishioners in nursing homes. He realized that there are a lot of seniors who sadly don’t have anyone, and for whatever reason are forgotten. Pathways in Compassion is a meaningful volunteer opportunity that any church or organization can easily implement to make the lives of nursing home residents with no one a little brighter.

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Q: Why would anyone abandon their loved ones in a nursing home?

A: Some of the reasons people give as to why they don’t visit their loved ones in nursing homes include:

  • They work too much

  • Other family obligations take priority

  • It’s too far away or costs money they don’t have to travel there

  • It’s depressing there

  • They might get sick from visiting

  • They don’t get along

  • They have family or friends
     

Q: What are the benefits of visitation to nursing home residents?

A: Regular visits to nursing home residents offer significant benefits to both parties, including:

  • Emotional Well-being: Visits reduce feelings of loneliness and depression, providing emotional support.

  • Mental Stimulation: Engaging activities during visits help maintain cognitive function.

  • Health Monitoring: Regular visitors can notice health changes and ensure timely care.

  • Sense of Belonging: Visits reinforce residents' self-worth and connection to loved ones.

  • Social Interaction: Enhances community and fosters a supportive environment.

  • Benefits for Visitors: Visitors develop empathy, compassion and responsibility.

Overall, visits greatly improve the quality of life for nursing home residents, ensuring they feel valued, supported, and engaged.

 

Q: How often do volunteers visit the nursing home?

A: St. John asks volunteers to commit to at least two, hour long visits a month to make a meaningful impact.

 

Q: What kinds of things do you talk about with a nursing home resident?

A: Listening is one of the greatest gifts we can offer. Letting the residents lead the discussion often leads to a meaningful visit for them.

 

Q: Do volunteers lead the residents in prayer?

A: Yes. It is best to offer prayer at the end of a visit, but offering a prayer at any time during the visit as they sense the need is fine.

 

Q: What if the resident doesn’t want to pray, but likes to have a visitor?

A: volunteers can still visit them and hold them in their daily prayers.

 

Q: I can visit people on my own, why should I be part of a visitation program?

A: You don’t have to be a member of St. John, but it is recommended that you join a visitation group or start one. Working as a group has a lot of advantages including sharing your experiences and challenges with others, talking about how you see yourself fitting into the care-giver scheme, establishing boundaries, communicating with residents of various levels of responsiveness and more.

 

Q: Where can I learn more about Pathways in Compassion?

A: The St. John website has several resources including a video featuring Pastor Fisher talking about how and why he started the program, a free downloadable guide, a Q&A and more.

 

STARTING YOUR OWN PATHWAYS PROGRAM

Q: Is there a guide to starting a Pathways in Compassion program?

A: Yes, Pastor Fisher developed a free downloadable Pathways in Compassion ‘How-to’ booklet that sheds some light on the basics of this ministry of presence, shares some examples of people who have been helped, and tells stories from Pathways volunteers with anyone interested in modeling a program after the one currently in use at St. John. It’s available on the St. John website.

 

Q: What are the steps to starting a Pathways in Compassion program?

A: The steps are clearly outlined and easy to follow, here’s a high level look at the program:

  • Step 1 – Declare nursing home visitation to be a mission field

  • Step 2 – Recruit a volunteer chairperson

  • Step 3 – Establish and fill volunteer visitor positions

  • Step 4 – Survey the specific need and identify a specific location

  • Step 5 – Contact the home and get requirements for volunteers (TB tests, background checks)

  • Step 6 – Launch the ministry at the nursing home - meet with director of home, identify residents for visitors

  • Step 7 – Perform a commissioning service so it becomes a formal program

  • Step 8 – Manage the program

 

Q: How many volunteers are needed to start a visitation program?

A: A good number to start a visitation program with is four to five volunteers, and you can add more as you go. Look for people who enjoy talking to others, who like to listen and have a heart for it. This is a ministry of presence, compassion and care.

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Q: Who can I contact if I have questions about starting a Pathways in Compassion program?

A: Pastor Fisher and the team of volunteers can answer any questions others may have when initiating a program like this. Please go to https://www.stjohn-elca.org/ for more information and to download a free copy of Pathways in Compassion to start your own program. 

 

Q: Are there other ways to help people in nursing homes?

A: Yes, you can establish or participate in a greeting card or music ministry, provide holiday gifts, hold a weekly a bible study, offer communion/sacrament to residents, to name a few opportunities. We are happy that the Pathways in Compassion program has sparked an interest in opportunities to serve and support nursing home residents.

 

JOINING THE ST. JOHN PATHWAYS TEAM

Q: Can I join the St. John Pathways Team?

A: Yes, to join the great volunteers at St. John call the office at 248-474-0584 or email Marie Cook at om@stjohn-elca.org with your interest.

 

Q: How many people does the St. John Pathways volunteers visit on a regular basis?

A: The Pathways team at St. John regularly visits about 20 people at a local nursing home, but the need is great, and they are always looking for more volunteers.

 

Q: Where can I find information online about St. John?

A: You can visit the St. John website or follow on social media at:

 

Q: What is St. John Lutheran Church?

A: St. John Lutheran Church in Farmington Hills, MI, is a faith community that attempts to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. We see science and faith as valued partners in helping understand life’s meaning. We know that every person is sacred and valued. St. John welcomes all people into its community as we attempt to extend the peace to others. St. John’s Sunday worship service is at 10:00 am in person or via Zoom and Facebook and is then posted to our YouTube channel. Links can be found at www.stjohn-elca.org. The worship service is traditional with a contemporary message. St. John is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). ELCA congregations are Christ centered missions, where people of faith celebrate, learn, and connect with one another and others around the world through service and weekly worship.

 

Q: What is Pastor Mark Fisher’s background?

A: The Rev. Dr. Mark Fisher has spent a lifetime focused on building communities of compassion. Initially he served as a consultant to compassion-based organizations and then from within pastoral ministry. He sees the work of the church as following the shalom/peace of God in the areas of compassion, mercy, justice, forgiveness and grace. Pastor Mark says, “When people experience that peace within their own lives, they become ready to share that same love with others.”

 

Q: I have a question that wasn’t answered, who can I contact at the St. John Pathways program?

A: If you have a question that wasn’t answered in this document, please send us an email at om@stjohn-elca.org.

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Last Updated: April 21, 2025

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