Spirituality Flashcards
Define religion
Viewed as more institutionally based, more structured, and involving more traditional activities, rituals and practices. It involves accountability and responsibility.
Define spirituality
Refers to the intangible and immaterial and thus may be considered a more general term, not associated with a particular group or organization. It can refer to feelings, thoughts, experiences, and behaviors related to the soul or to a search for the sacred or for meaning. It has few requirements.
Identify the percent of elderly people in the United States who consider themselves religious or spiritual
> 90% of elderly people consider themselves religious or spiritual
Identify the largest source of social support outside of the family
For the elderly, the religious community is the largest source of social support outside of the family
Identify the largest source of voluntary social activity outside of the family.
For the elderly, involvement in religious organizations is the most common type of voluntary social activity – more common than all other forms of voluntary social activity combined.
State benefits of religion and spirituality.
- improved physical and mental health
- psychological benefits (positive and hopeful attitude, sense of meaning and purpose, greater ability to cope)
- less likely to develop depression and anxiety
- recover from depression quicker
- correlates w/ better maintained physical functioning and health
- benefits caregivers
- foster development of community and social support
- increases likelihood that disease will be detected earlier
State some potential harmful effects of religion.
- Certain religious groups discourage mental and physical health care, including lifesaving therapies (blood transfusion, treatment of infections, insulin therapy), and instead substitute religious rituals (praying, chanting, lighting candles).
- Rigid religious groups may isolate and alienate elderly people from nonparticipating family members and the broader community.
Identify the role of the health care provide regarding a patient’s religious and spiritual beliefs.
- Talking to elderly patients about their religious beliefs and practices helps practitioners provide care b/c these beliefs can affect the pts mental and physical health
- The elderly often have distinct spiritual needs that may overlap with but are not the same as psychological needs
- Ascertaining a pts spiritual needs can help mobilize the necessary resources (spiritual counseling or support groups, participation in religious activities, social contacts from members of a religious community).
State when it is appropriate for a health care provider to inquire about religious issues during a medical visit.
o When patients are severely ill, under substantial stress, or near death and ask or suggest that a practitioner talk about religious issues
o When patients tell a practitioner that they are religious and that religion helps them cope with illness
o When religious needs are evident and may be affecting a patient’s health or health behaviors
Identify the four areas of inquiry in the FICA spiritual history tool and the questions generally asked within these areas
- Faith and Belief
- Importance
- Community
- Address in Care
• Four Areas of Questioning:
-Faith and Belief
• Do you consider yourself spiritual or religious?
• Do you have spiritual beliefs that help you cope with stress?
• If the patient answers “no,” the health care provider might ask,
o What gives your life meaning?
Four Areas of Questioning:
-Importance
- What importance does your faith and belief have in your life?
- Have your beliefs influenced how you take care of yourself in this illness?
- What role do your beliefs play in regaining your health?
Four Areas of Questioning:
-Community
- Are you part of a spiritual or religious community?
- Is this of support to you and how?
- Is there a group of people you really love or who are important to you?
Four Areas of Questioning:
-Address in care
• How would you like me, your healthcare provider, to address these issues in your healthcare?
Identify why a patient might receive counseling from a member of the clergy rather than a mental health professional.
- Many clergy members provide counseling services to the elderly at home and in the hospital
- Many elderly patients prefer this counseling to that offered by mental health professionals because it does not have a stigma associated with it
