Existential or spiritual distress can cause much suffering at end of life.
Spiritual care for a person at end of life is about trying to understand any emotional, relational, existential or religious concerns that a person may have. A person might be struggling to come to terms with how they have lived their life and what meaning their life has had. They might feel a sense of hopelessness, and need support to help them have meaning in the time they have left. knowing. Spiritual care can be helping a person to find meaning or acceptance with their last months or days in this life. It could also be about dealing with relationships or how to say goodbye.
Spiritual care can involve faith and religious beliefs. These can bring comfort and peace. Where religion is an important part of a person’s life, it is important that any religious rituals or traditions are included in their last days. For others, religion may have little or no part in their spirituality.
Talking about any spiritual needs with family, friends, a faith community or health care provider can help bring a sense of peace and less distress at the end of life. Having someone to listen and affirm that a person’s life has meaning, or connecting them back with things that are important to a person or bring them joy can be helpful.
ACT palliative care services have relationships with different faith communities and most faith communities are able to support you whether you are at home, in hospital, at a hospice or in an aged care facility. Clare Holland House and any public hospital have access to a spiritual support team for people who are cared for in these facilities. Most aged care facilities also have access to spiritual support. It is important that you talk with the people looking after you if you would like someone to support you.
Existential or spiritual distress can cause much suffering at end of life.
Spiritual care for a person at end of life is about trying to understand any emotional, relational, existential or religious concerns that a person may have. A person might be struggling to come to terms with how they have lived their life and what meaning their life has had. They might feel a sense of hopelessness, and need support to help them have meaning in the time they have left knowing. Spiritual care can be helping a person to find meaning or acceptance with their last months or days in this life. It could also be about dealing with relationships or how to say goodbye.
Spiritual care can involve faith and religious beliefs. These can bring comfort and peace. Where religion is an important part of a person’s life, it is important that any religious rituals or traditions are included in their last days. For others, religion may have little or no part in their spirituality.
Talking about any spiritual needs with family, friends, a faith community or health care provider can help bring a sense of peace and less distress at the end of life. Having someone to listen and affirm that a person’s life has meaning, or connecting them back with things that are important to a person or bring them joy can be helpful. Professional support may also help the person to explore their fears and to create a space to identify meaning making at this time. This can be supported through pastoral care, social work, psychology and grief counsellors with experience in palliative care.
ACT palliative care services have relationships with different faith communities and most faith communities are able to support you whether you are at home, in hospital, at a hospice or in an aged care facility. Clare Holland House and any public hospital have access to a spiritual support team for people who are cared for in these facilities. Most aged care facilities also have access to spiritual support. It is important that you talk with the people looking after you if you would like someone to support you.