Spirituality and age? Interest in spirituality in the aging population as increased overwhelmingly in recent years. Perhaps one reason is the growing evidence that there are measurably positive health benefits and outcomes that can be traced to spirituality and participating in religious activity. Increases in life expectancy along with a culture of long periods of retirement, gives our older population time to consider and embrace spirituality of one sort or another. Spirituality and understanding its role in aging has become a priority to some in the health care industry.
One’s spirituality can affect how one addresses loss of friends and family, their own mortality, loss of health, and general aging issues. There have been studies that indicate that spirituality becomes more important das we become older. There is likely to be an increase in religious or spiritual activity even though our society as a whole is moving away from organized religion the past 50 years or so. Identifying and addressing the spiritual needs of our older patients is not always easy.
We in the healthcare industry are not typically well prepared to deal with matters of spirituality. Most have had very limited training, we seldom have sufficient time and very few of us feel comfortable discussing this with people we are not very familiar with. I do not share the last problem and I am quite comfortable discussing one aspect of spirituality, Christianity. I understand that religion is not the only aspect of spirituality or even the only form of religion. In my small rural area in Kentucky, most older folks have been brought up in or around a Christian home and community.
There have been several studies that show that a strong or healthy spiritual or religious life is a positive in your physical, mental, and emotional life as well. “These relationships were particularly strong in patients who experienced greater emotional aspects of religion and spirituality, including a sense of meaning and purpose in life as well as a connection to a source larger than oneself,” said lead author Heather Jim, PhD, of the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. They conducted a series of three studies on health and spirituality including over 44,000 patients.
Each study focused on a different aspect of an older persons health. The first was on the physical health of the patient. With patients that had a higher level of religion and/or spirituality were able to report better physical health, being able to complete daily activities more easily and having fewer symptoms. The second study focused on the patients mental health. They found that, again, those with higher levels of spirituality and religious participation tended to have less distress, depression or anxiety.
The third study examined the social well being of the patient. Again, those with the higher levels of spirituality and religion or faith in God, tended to continue to be more socially active and involved in their community or organizations. Dr. Jim noted that it would be interesting if there were future research that explored how the religion and health relationship might change over time. Explore whether certain services could be designed to help religion encourage or improve health and well being.
I find it very interesting that we are returning to the idea that faith and religion may be of assistance in the care of our patients. This following a period when very little in the health field has considered spirituality and in fact many hospitals are closing or at best ignoring hospital chapels and chaplains. This has set up an every person for themselves situation. If a patient wants any spiritual guidance or assistance, typically they are on their own to find and initiate the process.
Much of the information above may give us some insight in considering the similarities and differences of spirituality plays in enhancing the quality of life for two older adults, one a healthy person aged 85 and the other person aged 68 with a chronic cardiac condition. While each individual deals with health, spirituality and end of life issues very differently, considering the research and reading available today, there are some predictions and generalizations that can be made for each of these two folks. I believe it is likely that there are plenty of both similarities and differences between the two.
It is likely that both people have spent some time considering that it is very possible that they will be seeing their passing within the next few years. Just as likely, they both could live a few decades more. I think it is natural for an 85 year old in any health condition to start considering what is next and what it is they can contribute while they are still here. As the wife of a 54 year old heart attack survivor with a long and bad family history of heart conditions, I have seen where he often considers the possibility of not having many years left, even that it could be any day.
Spirituality can help both of these two to consider what is beyond themselves. Depending upon the choices they have made about their faith, choices of what to believe, how strongly they believe and how much they rely on this faith to pass their day, it can be a very positive outlook or not. I could see where the 68 year old with a chronic condition would question ‘why’. “Why me? ” “why now”, In todays world, 68 really isn’t that old and they likely have been dealing with their condition for some time.
One could easily question how their faith and / or their god, why they were chosen to have these problems. Others in the same situation could just as easily look to their faith / spirituality and God to help them through the hardships of they are facing. If and when they are able to embrace their spirituality, faith, or religion, they may be able to use it to lead a more fulfilling life for the time they have left as well as possibly extend that actual time they have left.
The 85 year old is typically, more ready for their passing regardless of their level of spirituality or faith and religion. It is much easier for an 85 year old to think, they have had a good life or at least a long life and are more likely to accept whatever the next phase brings them. I think they are much less likely to make a change in their system of believe in religion, God, or other spirituality. I have seen many folks in the 85 age range that really feel their time has passed in a positive light.
They have accomplished what they were able to accomplish and that it is time for others to take over. Many of these same folks with a strong faith in God, are ready to move on to ‘go home’. They are looking forward to reuniting with family members and friends and meeting and speaking with Jesus and God. There is a very visible calmness about these folks, content in what is coming. Most if any sadness I have seen is the older they get, the more likely it is that they have had many friends and family members leave them to go on.
At this age, it is likely that they actually have seen their children pass and want to reunite with them. On the other hand, for the 68 year old, I have seen a split with many of them really fearing what is coming next. The ones that have not really come to terms with what their beliefs are tend to be the ones with the most fear. It can manifest in many ways. The simple fear of dying and what lies beyond is often camouflaged by other indicators. Some will manifest a manic effort to make a difference in their lives or the lives of their children.
Or, a manic effort to fight whatever ails them, trying any effort to stall what is coming. Others may as simply fall into a deep state of depression feeling that nothing really matters at all. When they do this, they really give up. It can become very difficult to get them to follow any regimen of care or treatment. They can get quite grumpy and mean. In doing so, this can really shorten their lives here and bring death quicker as well as having a much lower quality of life during that time.
Other 68 year olds, I have seen with such high spirits in the face of overwhelming odds. They have drawn on their faith to give them strength. Most understand that their time will come when it is their time. They understand that their part in this process is to do what they can in their own effort, by following doctors’ orders, exercising etc. As we age, we all develop our personal level of interest and dependence on faith, spirituality and religion. Those that have developed stronger attachment to this are likely to live a longer and more healthy life.
