Hospice provides essential spiritual care.

What is Spiritual Care?

Spirituality can be described as that which gives meaning to life. It refers to the universal human need for love, hope, relatedness, value, and dignity. Spirituality may or may not involve religious beliefs and practices. The words religion and spirituality are often used interchangeably, but they are in fact very different.

Spirituality can be defined as our inner belief system. It helps individuals to search for the meaning and purpose of life, and it helps them to experience hope, love, inner peace, comfort and support. Religion refers to a belief system that you follow. Religion involves rituals - the externals of our belief system. Not everyone is religious, nor is religion a requirement for spirituality. It is important to remember that a person may not practice a religion, but may still have spiritual needs that should be met.

How can Chaplains and Spiritual Care Counselors hospice patients? As a member of the hospice team, a spiritual care counselor can be present with you or your loved one as important decisions are made at the end of life. Each counselor is trained to create safe environments in which exploration of concerns and expression of feelings can be shared without judgment. Fear, anxiety, despair and even physical pain diminish when one feels heard and accepted in the process of coming to terms or coping with terminal illness. Many issues patients want to talk about are not necessarily religious issues, but life concerns. How has my life had value? What has been important to me in my life? What do I have left to do before I die? Who is important to me?

A spiritual care counselor can provide support and an objective, listening presence as one considers questions about the purpose of life, suffering, self-worth, need for forgiveness, and the progressive losses that accompany a life limiting illness. Contemplating one's life can help establish a person's legacy, how one lives on in the future, or how one would like to be remembered. A spiritual care counselor may also provide an honoring and caring presence for those unable to verbalize their thoughts or feelings.

Spiritual Care Counselors provide:
Calming presence; prayer; ritual and observance of religious practices; empathetic listening; serve as liaison to community clergy; exploration of hope and meaning; pre-bereavement counseling; life review; funeral and memorial services; affirmation of strengths; support to family, staff and others.

Q & A on Spiritual Care

What is the most significant role of the spiritual care person?

Spiritual care throughout the end-of-life journey affords individuals and their loved ones the opportunity to reflect on personal beliefs, relationships, and life choices. Spiritual care staff traditionally counsels individuals, offering guidance and presence in the potential search for meaning, comfort, strength, and hope.

Does the spiritual care counselor represent a particular faith or religious practice?

No, the spiritual care counselor respects the spiritual beliefs, faith traditions, and practices of all individuals. The spiritual care staff member does not replace an individual’s clergy connection; however, this individual may be a liaison with these specified community clergy.

What are the most frequently asked questions related to spirituality and end of life?

¨ “Why is this happening?’

¨ “What do I believe?”

¨ “What does life mean?”

¨ “How can I have hope?”

Does the spiritual care counselor compete or attempt to replace the individual’s traditional spiritual leader within their faith tradition?

Absolutely not, the spiritual care counselor may be a conduit for contacting the leadership of an individual’s traditional faith organization or may be a source of additional support with that person’s community clergy.

Is spiritual care synonymous with religion?

It may be, but not necessarily.

How are spiritual beliefs, issues, or concerns addressed?

An intentional exploration may include but is not limited to the following interventions:

• Reflecting on one’s relationship with God

• Exploring the meaning of life

• Discussing spiritual beliefs and other concerns

• Seeking spiritual direction

• Reconciling life choices

• Praying, meditating, reading scripture

• Finding inner peace and comfort

• Memorializing through ritual and ceremony

• Talking about important relationships and sharing life stories

• Exploring one’s contributions and achievements through life review

Volunteers are an integral part of the interdisciplinary team approach to hospice care. They join Chaplains, Social Workers, RN's, LPN's CNA's and physicians in caring for patients.

They help our patients and families in a multitude of ways, including companionship, caregiver respite, light cooking and cleaning, patient support, and one on one life review. In addition, volunteers read or sing to patients. They sit at the bedside and quietly offer ‘personal presence’. During the volunteer’s visit, he or she is a friendly visitor with no particular agenda but to listen, care and support.

Some of the things a Medi Hospice volunteer might assist with include:

· Reading from a favorite book or the Bible.

· Watch over the patient while the primary caretaker takes a break or runs errands.

· Listen to stories and memories that are meaningful to the patient.

· Support for an overwhelmed caretaker by listening without judgment.

· Using a special talent such as music to bring joy to the heart of the patient and their families.

· Visit patients with certified animals to offer pet therapy.

Hospice volunteers are very unique individuals who have a deep sense of compassion for those who are terminally ill. They give selflessly to our patients. They hold a hand that is in need of gentle touch. They read a book that tired eyes cannot see. They sit at the bedside bringing a smile and a quiet presence to one who needs both. When there is soup to heat the volunteer prepares; when there is fresh air to breath the volunteer escorts the patient to the window or porch; when the day calls for a joke or poem the hospice volunteer complies.

They are flexible, punctual, reliable and intuitive.They give from their heart, willingly, openly, without restraint.

Medi Hospice VOLUNTEERS ARE WONDERFUL, GIVING PEOPLE!

WE APPRECIATE THEIR GRACIOUSNESS AND LOVE!!

Volunteering in hospice is a choice that creates rewards for patients and families. The ultimate surprise is the growth a volunteer develops from learning more about themselves with every visit to their patient. You learn to communicate in ways that increase your own appreciation of life. Your views of daily situations take on a holistic perspective. Nothing will ever be the same in your personal or professional life if you are correctly trained as a hospice volunteer.