Aging and Spirituality

During the later years of life, many people devote energy to a process of spiritual awakening and self-discovery. Yet the helping professionals who work with the elderly are not always prepared to understand or deal with the spiritual concerns of their clients. Aging and Spirituality comprehensively surveys the issues of spirituality, from the groundwork of basic definitions to detailed assessments of the role it plays in the lives of the elderly and on to suggested directions for further research. This book's unique approach combines scholarly research and practical nuts-and-bolts suggestions for service delivery. By drawing from many disciplines and professions, it offers fresh perspectives to even those practitioners already familiar with the most effective spiritual techniques their own field can offer. By integrating spiritual issues into the theoretical framework of social gerontology, Aging and Spirituality will help you understand the scientific foundations, practical applications, and public policy implications of spirituality for older adults.
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David O. Moberg

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