Chapter 14 Spirituality

Benefits of a Connection with a Greater Power Comfort Hope Joy Peace Purpose

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 Needs Love Purpose Hope Dignity Forgiveness Gratitude Transcendence Faith

Expressions 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 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 Assessments Faith belief and practices Affiliation with a faith community Extent to which spiritual needs are satisfied

Interventions 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.) Arranging for religious needs to be met. Praying with or for patients.

Characteristic 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 Religions Protestant Roman Catholic Eastern Orthodox Other Christian Religions Judaism Muslim (Islam) Hinduism Buddhism

Source Eliopoulos, C. (2005). Gerontological Nursing, (6 th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins (ISBN ).