Overview

Spiritual care is a vital component influencing the experience of residents in long term care facilities, their families, and friends. Torn from their familiar community setting, often isolated from their faith community, elders can feel abandoned at the very time when they are facing health crises; struggling with the meaning of suffering, of life, and of prayer. Family roles are in transition and friends struggle as they see their loved one suffer. Yet this population can be challenging for providers in a number of ways. Whether one is a doctor, nurse, social worker, activities staff, or other support person, all are witnessing the dying process and the challenges that this presents to coworkers, residents, families, and friends. In many long term care facilities, a formal spiritual care program is not offered. Do staff feel like they are inadequately trained to help people facing the theological issues inherent in medical crises? Spiritually Caring for Frail Elders and Their Families addresses the stereotypes and expectations regarding the aging and dying process. Reverend Dugan provides an innovative approach integrating both self and faith development as they apply to frail elders. She furnishes practical advice for long term care staff as well as spiritual care providers working with elders and families in visitation and worship. Reverend Dugan challenges medical, support, and spiritual care providers to explore their own prejudices regarding frail elders, diverse spiritual beliefs, and end of life issues. She encourages an approach that is respectful and that does not distance providers from those they serve. Other variables considered are diversity of faiths represented, cultures, as well as individual and family dynamics. Serving first as a licensed clinical social worker for many years, an elder care long term chaplain, and finally as an ordained pastor and pastoral counselor, Dianne brings a depth of experience to the field of spiritual care.

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9781449985349

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