Spirituality, Religion, and Aging: Illuminations for Therapeutic Practice

by Holly B. Nelson-Becker

Overview

This highly integrative book was written for students, professionals in aging, religious leaders, and older adults themselves. Readers will gain the knowledge and skills they need to assess, engage, and address the spiritual and religious needs of older persons.  Taking a fresh approach that breaks new ground in the field, the author discusses eight major world religions and covers values and ethics, theories, interventions, health and caregiving, depression and anxiety, dementia, and the end of life. Meditations and exercises throughout the book allow readers to expand and explore their personal understanding of spirituality. Referencing the latest research, the book includes assessments and skill-based tools designed to help practitioners enhance the mental health of older people.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781483315249
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	02/01/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	488
File size:	14 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface
About the Author
Invitation
PART I • PRINCIPLES OF SPIRITUALITY AND RELIGION FOR GERONTOLOGICAL PRACTICE
Chapter 1 • The Importance of Spirituality and Religion for Gerontology
Aging in a Postmodern Time
Practical and Orienting Definitions
Portrait of Religion and Aging in the United States
The Demographics of Old Age
Intersectionalities Among Spirituality, Gender Identity, and Older Age
A Brief History of Spirituality Across Disciplines
Assumptions About Religion and Spirituality
The Legacy of Aging in Modern Times
New Directions
Clinical Aspects of Later-Life Spiritual Journeys
Summary
Questions for Discussion
Introduction to Meditation Exercises
Meditation: Breath
Exploring Your Spirituality: Introduction
Exploring Your Spirituality: Basic Questions
Exploring Your Spirituality: Connect With Nature
Websites
Chapter 2 • Defining Religion and Spirituality: Professional and Practical Philosophies
Shifting Foundations
Religion and Spirituality: What Do They Mean?
Who or What Is God?
Professional Definitions of Religion
Background of Spirituality and Its Relevance for Aging
Other Aspects: Existential Well-Being, Spiritual Well-Being, Spiritual Suffering, and Spiritual Care
Spirituality, Standards of Care, and the Professions
Summary
Case Study: Spiritual Suffering and Spiritual Crisis
Questions for Discussion
Meditation: Relaxation, Also Known as Body Scan
Assignment: Interview an Older Adult
Exploring Your Spirituality: Objects of Meaning and Memory
Websites
Recommended Reading
Chapter 3 • Values and Ethics With Older Adults
Empathy, Compassion, or Sympathy
Virtue Ethics
Religion and Ethics
Spiritual and Existentialist/Humanist Ethics
Nonviolence and Interreligious Harmony
Ethical Theory for Practice in Brief
Value Dimensions for Practice
Boundaries in Ethical Practice
End-of-Life Ethics
End-of-Life Case
Intergenerational Ethics
The Rights of Older Adults
Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging, 2002 and Beyond
Generosity, Spiritual Wealth, and Service
Summary
Questions for Discussion
Meditation: Changing of the Seasons
Exploring Your Spirituality: Spiritual-Ethical Will
Exploring Your Spirituality: Vision
Exploring Your Spirituality: Scent
Websites
Recommended Reading
Chapter 4 • Religion and Spirituality in Theory
Why Does Theory Matter?
Social Gerontology Perspectives and Theories
Theories of Individual Behavior
Developmental and Transpersonal Theorists
Humanism
Transpersonal Psychology
Theories of Positive Aging, Successful Aging, and Strengths
Theory Integration
Summary
Case Study: Letha Bainbridge
Questions for Discussion
Meditation: The Tree That Was Planted the Day You Were Born
Exploring Your Spirituality: Developing a Spiritual History
Exploring Your Spirituality: Defining a Peak Experience
Websites
Recommended Reading
Chapter 5 • Religion and Older Adults
Judaism
Christianity
American Indian Religion/Spirituality
Islam
Hinduism
Buddhism
Confucianism
Daoism
Integration of Religious Philosophies and Aging
Summary
Questions for Discussion
Assignment: Framing the Landscape of Religious Ritual
Assignment: Sacred Spaces Exercise
Meditation: Present Moment Awareness
Exploring Your Spirituality: Rhythm and Movement
Exploring Your Spirituality: Pilgrimage
Websites
Recommended Reading
PART II • PRACTICE DIMENSIONS OF SPIRITUALITY AND RELIGION IN AGING
Chapter 6 • Spirituality and Religion in Clinical Assessment
What’s Important About Religion and Assessment?
Mental Health Assessment
The Clinical Assessment Process With Spirituality
Clinical Assessment Protocols
Rapid Assessment Instrument Protocols
Spiritual Distress Assessment
Summary
Questions for Discussion
Meditation: Focused Attention
Exploring Your Spirituality: Discernment
Exploring Your Spirituality: Emotional Mindfulness
Exploring Your Spirituality: Composition of the Place
Website
Recommended Reading
Chapter 7 • Religious and Spiritual Interventions With Clients
Section 1: Philosophical Approaches to Therapy With Older People
Section 2: Mid-Range Interventions of Care
Section 3: Micro-Level Individual Spiritual Care Activities
Summary
Questions for Discussion
Meditation: Bringing Yourself Together
Exploring Your Spirituality: The Labyrinth
Exploring Your Spirituality: Building Intentional Spiritual Places
Websites
Recommended Reading
Chapter 8 • Spirituality, Religion, and Health
Definitions of Health
Aging and the Body: Failing Health
Historical Views on Religion and Health
From Holistic Historical Renderings to Modern Cultural Health Considerations
Suffering
Views of Health From Religious Perspectives
Research on the Intersections Between Religion and Health
Caregiving
Prayers, Rituals, and Symbols
Hope, Meaning/Purpose, and Mental Health
Summary
Case Study: Health and Spirituality
Questions for Discussion
Meditation: Taste
Exploring Your Spirituality: Touch
Exploring Your Spirituality: Taste and Savoring
Websites
Recommended Reading
Chapter 9 • Spirituality in Emotion, Depression, and Anxiety
Emotions and Their Meaning
Emotion and the Sacred
Indicators and Etiology of Depression
Depression Types
Depression as Cultural Marker
Epidemiology
Eudaimonia
Other Depression-Like States: Demoralization, Desolation and the Dark Night of the Soul, and Despair
Research Related to Depression and Religion
Interventions
Spiritual Interventions and Depression/Desolation
Anxiety
Anxiety Interventions
Summary
Case Study: Depression and Spirituality
Questions for Discussion
Meditation: Self-Compassion With Movement
Exploring Your Spirituality: Regret
Exploring Your Spirituality: Fighting Fear
Exploring Your Spirituality: Gratitude
Websites
Recommended Reading
Chapter 10 • Memory, Dementia, and Spiritual Care
Memory and Growing Older
Types of Dementia and Behavioral Indicators
Delirium, Depression, Thyroid, Vitamin Deficiencies, Alcoholism, and Other Temporary Causes of Dementia
Prevalence of Dementia
Disclosure of AD and Related Dementia: A Counseling Concern
Another Perspective on Dementia
Spirituality and the Self
Understanding Need-Driven, Dementia-Compromised Behavior
Literature Related to Spiritual Aspects of Dementia and Dementia Care Practice
Religious and Spiritual Practice Principles for the Person With Dementia
Arts-Based Interventions
Summary
Questions for Discussion
Meditation: Walking
Exploring Your Spirituality: Sound
Exploring Your Spirituality: Tonglen Practice to Increase Compassion
Websites
Recommended Reading: Information for Professionals
Recommended Reading: Memoirs on Dementia
Chapter 11 • Spirituality at the End of Life
The Nature of Dying
Spirituality at the End of Life: Historical Context
Older Adults in Hospice Care
Modern Palliative and Hospice Care
National Consensus Project Guidelines
A Spiritual Care Model
Spiritual Care at the End of Life: Spiritual Practices
Communication at the End of Life
Summary
Questions for Discussion
Assignment: Spirituality, Religion, and Loss
Meditation: Refreshing the Senses
Exploring Your Spirituality: Creating Your Own Obituary— An Opportunity for Reflection
Exploring Your Spirituality: Plan Your Memorial or Funeral Service
Exploring Your Spirituality: A Meeting With Death
Websites
Recommended Reading
Chapter 12 • Integration
Integration of Religion and Spirituality With Professional Practice
Functions of Religion
Trends in Spirituality
A Practical Philosophy or Practical Theology
Spiritual Orientation Dissimilarity Between Client and Practitioner
Working With Spiritual Unease and Distress in Disasters
Evaluation
Interprofessional Practice and Spirituality
Self-Care and Mindfulness: Spiritual Awareness
Contemplative Practices for Renewal
Self-Compassion
A Personal Note on the Challenge of Spiritual Integration
Summary
Questions for Discussion
Meditation: Color
Exploring Your Spirituality: Balance and Equipoise
Exploring Your Spirituality: Self-Integration
Websites
Recommended Reading
Chapter 13 • Lessons for Building Spiritual Resilience and Epilogue
Section 1: Lessons For Building Resilience
Section 2: Epilogue
Benediction
Parting Thoughts
Questions for Discussion
Assignment: Visioning
Meditation: A Meditation With Music—The Great Bell Chant
Meditation: A Meditation With Movement—Five Ages Dancing
Meditation: A Meditation Using Hands or Fingers
Meditation: MBSR Mindfulness Eight-Week Course
Exploring Your Spirituality: Working With Light
Exploring Your Spirituality: Participation and Reciprocity
Exploring Your Spirituality: Laughter and Joy
Website
Recommended Reading
Appendix: Older Adult Definitions
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

Occasionally, I read a book that illustrates what can happen when clinical experience meets research and scholarship meets compassion and wisdom. When these all come together, you have a work that appeals to practitioners, educators, students, and those we seek to serve. Each of the chapters could stand alone as a journal article—taken together, they provide a blueprint for spirituality in older adults.

Stanley G. Mc Cracken

"Religion and spirituality play an important role in the lives of older adults. This book will be an important resource to aid helping professionals to become more aware of this fact and integrate this awareness in their work. The book will also be helpful to clergy and chaplains who frequently provide care to older adults and their loved one but rarely have any training in gerontology. The book includes helpful discussions of important topics including spiritual assessment, care for those with dementia and care at the end of life. "

George Fitchett

"In this essential and insightful book for our times, Holly Nelson-Becker draws upon current research and scholarship regarding spirituality, religion, and aging from a range of disciplines and shares stories, examples, and anecdotes from her own work with older adults and their families. Readers will appreciate this approach of bringing together findings from scientific research and insights from practice and presenting them in an easy to understand language and style. One of the key strengths of this book is its accessibility and applicability for practitioners. Although high-quality research is being conducted and published, oftentimes this work is not reaching health practitioners, social workers, and therapists who are serving older adults and their caregivers. This book has the potential to connect research and practice audiences around these important topics.

Given the continuing increase in the population of older adults from varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds and the spiritual and religious challenges they experience, the book includes a continuing discussion of diverse faith traditions and their implications for mental health practitioners. Another important strength of the book is its emphasis on active learning. Each chapter includes discussion questions, meditation exercises, spiritual exercises, and case studies aimed at engaging readers in using what they are learning. Internet and other resources are also included to help interested readers in obtaining additional information on topics of their interest. These pedagogical features further contribute to the books’ overall goal of preparing students and health care providers to address psychological and spiritual needs of older people from varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds. This text is a timely and relevant contribution to the growing body of work on spirituality, religion, and aging that has the potential to further knowledge, have meaningful impact for multiple audiences, and ultimately improve the lives of older adults."

Chandra M. Mehrotra

Spirituality is a vital part of aging and this book is a comprehensive resource providing both theoretical and clinical insight to understand the complex aspects of spirituality for older people. The text is an outstanding guide for all disciplines.”

Betty Ferrell

"Professor Holly Nelson-Becker’s groundbreaking book provides a holistic framework of knowledge, values, and clinical practices that promote gerontological practitioners’ comfort and competence to address spirituality and religion. Her subtitle key word ‘illuminations’ is apropos. Nelson-Becker deftly integrates understandings from social work, nursing, psychology, counseling, health sciences, chaplaincy, and other fields to craft an interdisciplinary approach that is sensitive to the vulnerabilities and strengths of aging and dying that reveal, as she said, “openings for light.” She synergizes profound insights with practical daily life realities. She presents these insights with scientific acumen and poetic sensibility. All of this is supported by her extensive experience as a clinician, researcher, educator, and pastoral minister. The resulting approach to gerontological practice respects diverse religious and nonreligious expressions of clients’ spiritual journeys and supports the professional and spiritual growth of clinicians. I enthusiastically recommend this book. "

Edward R. Canda