Chapter 14SpiritualityChapter 14Spirituality

Benefits of a Connection with a Greater PowerBenefits of a Connection with a Greater Power

• Comfort

• Hope

• Joy

• Peace

• Purpose

Spirituality vs. Religion Spirituality vs. Religion

• Spirituality: that which transcends ourselves and connects us to a higher power and other living organisms.

• Religion: involves human-created structures, rituals, symbolism, and rules for relating to a higher power.

Spiritual NeedsSpiritual Needs

• Love

• Purpose

• Hope

• Dignity

• Forgiveness

• Gratitude

• Transcendence

• Faith

Expressions of FaithExpressions of Faith

• Prayer

• Worship

• Scripture reading

• Rituals (e.g., fasting on certain days, wearing special articles of clothing)

• Celebration of specific holy days

Causes of Spiritual DistressCauses of Spiritual Distress

• Disruption in the ability to express one’s faith due to illness or disability

• Illness causing a person to feel:

– Resentful that God has seemingly abandoned him.

– Guilty that the illness may be a means of punishment for sin.

– Regretful that he lacks a strong faith to support him through the situation.

Spiritual AssessmentsSpiritual Assessments

• Faith belief and practices

• Affiliation with a faith community

• Extent to which spiritual needs are satisfied

Interventions Supporting Spiritual NeedsInterventions Supporting Spiritual Needs

• Identifying needs.

• Being available.

• Honoring beliefs and practices.

• Promoting hope.

• Assisting patients in discovering meaning in challenging situations.

Interventions Supporting Spiritual Needs (cont.)Interventions Supporting Spiritual Needs (cont.)

• Arranging for religious needs to be met.

• Praying with or for patients.

Characteristic of a Good Spiritual AssessmentCharacteristic of a Good Spiritual Assessment

• Reveals specific beliefs and practices that may need to be facilitated.

– Special diets

– Participation in certain care activities on one’s Sabbath

– Wearing of specific articles of clothing

– Prayer at specific times of the day

Major ReligionsMajor Religions

• Protestant

• Roman Catholic

• Eastern Orthodox

• Other Christian Religions

• Judaism

• Muslim (Islam)

• Hinduism

• Buddhism

SourceSource

• Eliopoulos, C. (2005).  Gerontological Nursing, (6th ed.).  Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins (ISBN 0-7817-4428-8).