What
is Spirituality?
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.
Hospice
provides essential spiritual care.
How
can Chaplains and Spiritual Care Counselors help 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
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