● HOPE – expectation for
Spirituality is recognized by both something in the future
professionals & patients as an
important element at the end of life. - propels people to face the future in
the presence of pain & suffering,
Spirituality encompasses the search because they believe relief & eternal
for meaning in life experiences & reward are possible.
relationships with others.
● MEANING & PURPOSE – life
● Essence of our being that experiences (both good and bad)
transcends and connects us to make sense and have served a
the Divine and other living purpose.
organisms.
● Involves relationships and - some believe that suffering and
feelings. sorrow have eternal purposes or allow
God to be glorified
Religion is viewed as more
institutionally based, more structured, ● DIGNITY – elders feel that sense
and more traditional and may be of value and worth through their
associated with organized, connection with God
well-established beliefs. (Daniel B. ● FORGIVENESS – for the elderly,
Kaplan, PhD, MSW, Barbara J. forgiveness can facilitate the
Berkman, DSW, PhD) important process of putting
things in order & achieving
- connects persons through shared closure to unfinished business.
beliefs, values & practices ● GRATITUDE – elders benefit
from a guided review of the
- consists of human-created positive aspects of their lives
structures, rituals and rules for relating ● TRANSCENDENCE – a
to the Divine (Eliopoulos, 2005). connection to a greater power
that surpasses logical thinking
- Religion is chosen. ○ affords the elders life
beyond material existence
& equips them to make
SPIRITUAL CARE sense of the difficult
circumstances they face.
○ Both spirituality & religion ● EXPRESSION of FAITH –
help to create a sense of includes prayer, worship,
purpose & meaning that scripture reading, rituals &
makes life worthwhile. celebration of specific holy days.
○ disruption in the ability to
SPIRITUAL NEEDS of Older Adults express one’s faith due to
illness or disability
● LOVE– most important ○ spiritual distress
- unconditional love that is offered
unselfishly, completely.
ASSESSING SPIRITUAL NEEDS 4. What are the important
relationships in your life?
1. Identify needs ● Balance – living in harmony with
2. Be aware of the need for self, others and nature.
companionship & connection with 1. Are there any spiritual guidelines
important others. that you follow that relate to your
health or illness?
- give them a chance to do a “life 2. Has this illness interfered with
review” your spiritual practices?
3. Have you had feelings of doubt,
3. Help an older person maintain anger, or hopelessness since this
usual religious & spiritual happened?
observances 4. How can I help your spiritual
4. Create an atmosphere where practice easierin this situation?
people can talkopenly about ● Purpose - the process of
spiritual concerns / Promote searching for or discovering
hope. events or relationships that
5. Prayers/ Providing opportunities provide a sense of worth, hope,
for solitude. or reason for existence.
1. Has this illness caused you to
- do ask if prayers are welcome
question your understanding of
what’s important in your life?
2. Has this illness changed your
THEMES in ASSESSING ideas about what you should do
SPIRITUALITY in life?
Spiritual Assessment
(Questions to Ask)
END-OF-LIFE CARE
● Transcendence – involves
finding meaning larger than the ● End of Life Care
person’s individual self and life.
- refers to health care, not only
1. What gives your life meaning and
of patients in the final hours or days of
hope?
their lives, but more broadly, care of all
2. Has this illness/event made you
those with a terminal illness or condition
wonder why this happened to
that has become advanced, progressive
you?
and incurable.
● Connection – integration of all of
the aspects of being human ● End of life period
1. Are spiritual relationships
important to you? - Refers to the time when body
2. Do you have a spiritual or systems are shutting down and death is
religious leaderwhom you would imminent –typically lasting from a
like me to contact? matters of days to a couple of weeks.
3. Has this illness caused you to
question your relationship to God ● Palliative Care
or a higher being?
- care designed to prevent Spiritual Considerations in Meeting
and relieve suffering of the dying client Needs of the Dying Person
at any stage of illness
● Assess whether the patient has a
- GOAL: to improve the preferred spiritual counselor.
quality of life for patients, caretakers and ● Offer choices when available.
loved one ● Demonstrate respect for the
patient’s religious & spiritual
views
● Avoid imposing your own beliefs
CAREIVERS ATTITUDE TOWARDS on the patient.
END –OF LIFE CARE ● Be present, be available and
listen.
Caregivers need to:
1. Learn to recognize their own
attitudes, feelings, values, &
expectations about death.
2. Explore the professional literature
that discusses legal, ethical,
financial and health care delivery
issues related to end-of-life care.
3. Learn to collaborate with each
other to assess & treat the whole
person as he/ she nears the end
of life.
4. Be able to communicate
effectively and respond to the
patient.
5. Address needs of family & SOs
as they face grief, loss &
bereavement at the end of life.
6. Learn when and how to shift from
the aggressive medical
interventions to more palliative &
holistic interventions.
- Palliative care: focuses on
reducing or relieving the symptoms of a
disease without attempting to provide a
cure.
