Aging and Spirituality

Contents

* About the Editor * Contributors * Foreword * Acknowledgments * Introduction * Questions Answered * Who Should Read This Book? * The Authors * Conceptual and Theoretical Foundations * Chapter 1. The Reality and Centrality of Spirituality * The Spiritual Nature of Humanity * Spirituality and Aging in the Bible * Is Spirituality Just Another Word for Religion? * Perceptions of Spirituality and Religion * Resolving Definitional Confusion * Conclusions * Chapter 2. The Spiritual Role of the Elder in the Twenty-First Century * Past Roles for Elders * Loss of Value for the Role of Elder * Reclaiming the Role of Elder * Impact on Contemporary Society * Conclusion * Chapter 3. Spirituality in Gerontological Theories * Gerontological Theories * Spirituality and Religion in Gerontological Theory * Conclusions * Research and Spirituality * Chapter 4. Research on Spirituality * Why Is Research on Spirituality Important? * Casual Evaluations and Assessments * Research Findings * Conclusion * Chapter 5. Attitudes Toward Death and Dying Among Persons in the Fourth Quarter of Life * Attitudes Toward Death Throughout History * Definitions of Dying and Death * Attitudes Toward Dying and Death * Types of Spirituality Definitions * Interviews on Death, Dying, and Spirituality * Summary * Conclusion * Chapter 6. Do Spirituality and Religiosity Increase with Age? * Concepts of Spirituality * The Importance of Religion to Older Adults * Age Differences Among Women at a Lutheran Retreat * Does Spirituality Increase with Age? * Conclusions and Implications * Professional and Practical Applications * Chapter 7. Spiritual Care by Primary Healthcare Providers * The Meaning of Spirituality * Research on Spirituality and Health * Current Practice * Beliefs About Providing Spiritual Care * Spiritual Care Interventions * Curriculum and Spiritual Care * Future Concerns * Chapter 8. Spiritual Care in Hospice Settings * Understanding the Hospice Philosophy * Defining Spirituality and Spiritual Care * Providing Spiritual Care for Hospice Patients * A Poll on Spiritual Beliefs and Dying * Conclusions * Chapter 9. Integrating Spirituality in Counseling with Older Adults * Research Findings * Assessing Spirituality * Applying Spirituality to Practice * Conclusion * Chapter 10. Spirituality in Social Work Practice with Older Persons * Definition of Spiritual and Spirituality * The Importance of Spiritual Care by Social Workers * How Spiritual Care Is Delivered by Social Workers * Cautions to Observe When Spiritual Care Is Delivered by Social Workers * Conclusion * Suggested Readings * Chapter 11. Secular Franciscan Spirituality and Aging * The Secular Franciscan Order * Franciscan Spirituality * Franciscan Spiritual Growth * Spiritual Inspiration from St. Francis * Conclusion * Chapter 12. The Spiritual Life Review * The Life Review * Spiritual Needs in Late Life * The Spiritual Life Review * How to Prepare a Spiritual Life Review * Guidelines for Sharing Spiritual Life Reviews * Conclusion * Chapter 13. The Role of the Chaplain in Spiritual Care * Varieties of Chaplains * Resources for Chaplaincies * Ethical Issues * Elements of "Spiritual Care": Assessment/Diagnosis * Practical Issues * Conclusions and Recommendations * Policy Implications and Priorities for the Future * Chapter 14. Toward Better Care: Connecting Spirituality to the Long Term Needs of Our Elders * White House Conferences on Aging * Historical Trends * Model Programs * Conclusion * Chapter 15. Guidelines for Research and Evaluation * Spirituality Measurement and Assessment Issues * Conclusions * Chapter 16. Continuing Challenges * The Babel of Spi