Susan Quisenberry Allen, MDiv, BCC Baptist Health Lexington

Objectives: 1. What is the difference between spirituality and religion? 2. Emotional and spiritual care enhances relationships between patients, family members and staff. 3. Treating the patient holistically demonstrates respect for the person and reflects positively upon the provider. 4. Providing a support group allows staff to assess for situational vs. clinical depression. 5. Offering the patient coping strategies improves the patient’s overall outcome. 2

What is Spirituality? the way humans seek and experience meaning and their connectedness to the moment to self, to others, to nature and to the significant or sacred Improving the Quality of Spiritual Care as a Dimension of Palliative Care: The Report of the Consensus Conference (Journal of Palliative Medicine, 2009, 12/10: ) 3

A Simple Definition of Spirituality Spirituality is the relationship of trust and safety. 4

Spirituality How is it related to being religious? Think of someone who you consider to be religious Think of someone who you consider to be spiritual 5

Religion and Spirituality RELIGION IS FAITH IN BELIEF 6

Religion and Spirituality SPIRITUALITY IS FAITH IN RELATIONSHIPS 7

What kind of relationships are we talking about? Relationship to God or Higher Power Relationship to Others Relationship to self Relationship to nature or environment 8

Spirituality vs. Religious “Patients, whether or not they practice any particular religion, have spiritual needs. We must be able to assess for these needs if we are to deliver comprehensive, holistic care.” Richardson & Robinson,

What does Joint Commission say? “The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations requires hospitals and other healthcare institutions to include a spiritual assessment as part of the overall assessment of a patient to determine how the spiritual outlook can affect his or her care, treatment, and services.” Joint Commission (2005) 10

Joint Commission “The organization respects and accommodates the patient’s right to religious and other spiritual services. “The organization informs the patient of his/her rights PRIOR to beginning care, treatment or services, preferably during the initial evaluation.” 2009, The Joint Commission, RI , EPs

Connections How do you create and maintain connections with your patients? How does this relate to spiritual and emotional care? 12

What gives your life meaning? 13

Meaning of Illness Fears & concerns “intimate strangers” Illness Death & dying Changes & losses Family/self/role Control EPEC Project, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 1999 “Intimate Strangers” Journal of Pastoral Care Vol. XLIV Summer

Changes and Losses…. 15

Psychological Crisis “The heart heals faster than the mind because it has no memory.” (Cardiac Champs a Survivor’s Guide: How to Live a Healthy, Vigorous, Happy Life After a Heart Attack, by Larry McConnell, p. 49) 16

Financial Stress… 17

Spiritual Crises Search for meaning or purpose Loss of a sense of connection Feelings of guilt or unworthiness Questioning of faith Desire for forgiveness Sense of abandonment by God EPEC Project, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation,

Offering Spiritual Care Practice of compassionate presence Listening to hopes, fears, pain or dreams Notice the spiritual journey Attentiveness to all dimensions Body – Mind – Spirit Incorporate religious practice as appropriate 19

Healing Your Heart We discuss the experiences and responses that people commonly have in dealing with heart illness and how we can help them move along in their recovery. 20

Healing Your Heart Topics The impact of heart disease on the individual Common responses of individuals The impact of heart disease on your loved ones Coping strategies Group discussion 21

What are some of the changes you have experienced? 22

Types of Responses: Emotional Stages of Grief: Shock, Denial, Anger, Depression, Acceptance 23

Types of Responses: Blame/Anger Directed toward self or others 24

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Impact on Loved Ones Changes in Roles or Reversal of Roles Decreased Social Activity Financial Concerns Fear of losing their loved one 26

Depression Is it clinical or situational? 27

Coping Strategies A support group Exercise Healthy Diet Tips Spiritual care Community 28

RELATIONSHIPS! 29

Time to Breathe 30 Ruach (Heb.) and Pneuma (Grk.) = A force, breath, wind, spirit, breath of God

For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Job 33:4, (NLT) 31