The importance of spiritual assessment when caring for older adults

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANN HARRINGTON
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Care Giver ◽  
Spiritual Assessment ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Growing Body

ABSTRACTThere is a growing body of literature documenting the positive effects of both religiousness and spirituality on human health, particularly among those who are ageing or diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. These positive effects provide buffers to life's stressors such as those associated with mental illness, care-giver burden, substance abuse and social disruption resulting from war. An important aspect of health care for individuals of all ages involves completion of a spiritual assessment. This paper explores the concept of spirituality and spiritual assessment, which has many definitions in the literature, and also provides examples of assessment tools from theology, nursing, social work and medicine.

scholarly journals Promoting Healthy Cognitive Aging: A Systematic Review and Analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 431
Author(s):  
Suk-hee Kim
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Home Visiting ◽  
Aging Brain ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Positive Effects

<div><p><em>Promoting healthy cognitive aging within social work has been raised over the years, but the effectiveness of many preventions and interventions in healthy aging brain has been questioned because of the lack of the evidence. </em><em>The purpose of the study is to carry out a scientific research review and analysis related to healthy cognitive aging brain and professional social work. This study reviewed major trends in the health care in cognitive aging environment which impacts on social work education, practice, and research including a shift from in-patient to community care setting and increasing diversity of the older adult population. </em><em>A systematic review was conducted to determine the effectiveness of promoting healthy cognitive aging that target mild-cognitive impairment and screening among older-adults. In this scientific literature review, quantitative and qualitative outcome studies between 1989 and 2016 were reviewed. The researcher found that educational and social activity group interventions that can ease social isolation and loneliness among older adults. However, the effectiveness of home visiting remains unclear. The study also was completed to address a growing area of cognitive aging brain concern and implication for health care providers and professionals. Overall research findings support positive effects of social and family support, early mild-cognitive screening, quality of social network, healthy choice eating, and physical and mental activity in improving healthy mild-cognitive aging. </em></p></div>

The Affordable Care Act, Substance Use Disorders, and Low-Income Clients: Implications for Social Work

Social Work ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather A. McCabe ◽  
Elizabeth A. Wahler
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Affordable Care Act ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Social workers are leaders in the substance abuse services field and may often work in substance use disorder (SUD) education, prevention, assessment, treatment, or resource coordination and case management roles. As the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) (2010) drives changes in the fields of health and behavioral health, social workers have an opportunity to lead structural changes at the micro and macro levels that will have a positive impact on low-income clients with SUDs. In this article, authors examine the current state of SUDs and health care access, the impact of the ACA on the field, and implications for social work practice and education. Social workers should seek specialized education and credentialing in SUD services, know how to help clients apply for health care coverage, and advocate for integrated substance abuse treatment and health care programs and an expansion of Medicaid in their local communities. Social workers are well positioned to be a voice for clients to ensure that the current structural changes result in a better, integrated system of care that is able to respond to the needs of low-income clients with SUDs.

scholarly journals Older Adults’ Spiritual Needs in Health Care Settings

2011 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Hodge ◽  
Violet E. Horvath ◽  
Heather Larkin ◽  
Angela L. Curl
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Professional Staff ◽  
Joint Commission ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Relationship With God ◽  
Health Care Settings ◽  
Spiritual Assessment ◽  
Staff Interactions

Recognizing that spiritual needs often emerge in health care settings, the Joint Commission requires spiritual assessments in numerous organizations frequented by older adults. Given that many gerontological practitioners have received little training in identifying spiritual needs, a qualitative meta-synthesis ( N = 9 studies) was conducted to identify and describe older adults’ perceptions of their spiritual needs in health care settings. Five interrelated categories emerged: (a) spiritual practices; (b) relationship with God; (c) hope, meaning, and purpose; (d) interpersonal connection; and (e) professional staff interactions. The implications of the findings are discussed as they inform the spiritual assessment process.

Social Work in Health Care with Older Adults: Future Challenges

2005 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara J. Berkman ◽  
Daniel S. Gardner ◽  
Bradley D. Zodikoff ◽  
Linda K. Harootyan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Future Challenges

Dramatic changes in demography, epidemiology, and the financing and delivery of health care have significantly affected the lives of older adults and their families. The authors review current and future trends in aging and health care in the United States and their implications for social work practice in enhancing the health and well-being of older adults and their caregivers. Health care social work in the 21st century requires the development and application of evidence-based knowledge that reflects the interrelatedness of aging, physical and mental health, and intergenerational family processes. The authors demonstrate the value of social work research to issues that are in the forefront of gerontological health care practice, policy, and education.

scholarly journals The spiritual experience of dementia from the health care provider perspective: Implications for intervention

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A Palmer ◽  
Michelle Hilgeman ◽  
Tracy Balboni ◽  
Sara Paasche-Orlow ◽  
Jennifer L Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Spiritual Care ◽  
Spiritual Experience ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Medical Conditions ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Spiritual Assessment ◽  
Spiritual Distress ◽  
Loss Of Self

Abstract Background and Objectives Spiritual care aims to counter negative outcomes from spiritual distress and is beneficial to persons living with dementia. Such care needs dementia-appropriate customization. We explored the salient spiritual needs in dementia to inform future intervention development. Health care providers are well-situated to observe the nature of spiritual needs across and within medical conditions. Research Design and Methods We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with providers. We sampled purposively by discipline (chaplains, nursing staff, social workers, activities professionals) and religious tradition (for chaplains). Our interview guide inquired about, e.g., the nature of spiritual needs in dementia and stakeholders’ roles in addressing them. Inductive / deductive thematic analysis was employed. Results Twenty-four providers participated. The thematic structure consisted of two themes: 1) spiritual experience in dementia differs from that in other medical conditions (sub-themes: fear, profound loss of self, progressive and incurable nature, and impacted ability to access faith); and 2) the need for spiritual intervention at the mild stage of dementia (sub-themes: awareness in mild dementia and its influence on spiritual distress, and a window of opportunity). Discussion and Implications We learned about the potential “what” of spiritual needs and “who” and “when” of implementing spiritual care. Implications included the imperative for dementia-specific spiritual assessment tools, interventions targeting fear and loss of self early in symptom progression, and stakeholder training. Researchers should study additionally the “how” of dementia-appropriate spiritual care. Conjointly, these efforts could promote spiritual well-being in persons living with dementia worldwide.

The Impact of Intergenerational Engagement on Social Work Students’ Attitudes toward Aging: The Example of Clermont College

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Steward ◽  
Leslie Hasche ◽  
Michael Talamantes ◽  
Moriah Bernhardt
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Workforce Development ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Health Care Need ◽  
The Impact

  As a response to our rapidly aging society, professional training programs in health care need to offer rich applied learning experiences with older adults and educate students about ageist attitudes. Health care professionals are likely to work with older adults in a variety of settings, yet ageist attitudes continue to be a barrier to workforce development. This study evaluated the effects of an intergenerational lifelong learning initiative as a way to decrease ageist attitudes in social work students. The research hypothesis was that intergenerational engagement would help reduce ageist attitudes of social work students. Paired samples t tests were conducted with 32 students through pre- and post-surveys of the ROPE (Relating to Old People Evaluation). Results indicated a significant decrease in ageist attitudes overall, in negative ageism, and in students’ self-report of behaviors such as complimenting older adults “despite their age” and avoiding older adults. Qualitative comments indicated significant changes in perception about the aging experience and increased awareness of ageist stereotypes. Overall, this pilot study offers an encouraging model that can be applied through future partnerships to reduce ageism of students in health care–related fields.

scholarly journals Challenges in providing ethically competent health care to incarcerated older adults with mental illness: a qualitative study exploring mental health professionals’ perspectives in Canada

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirubel Manyazewal Mussie ◽  
Félix Pageau ◽  
Helene Merkt ◽  
Tenzin Wangmo ◽  
Bernice Simone Elger
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Competent Health Care

Abstract Background The population of incarcerated older adults is the fastest growing demographic in prisons. Older persons in custody have poorer health as compared with those in the community. The unmet and complex health care needs of incarcerated older adults with mental illness raise justice, safety, dignity and fairness in care as ethical concerns. As there exists research gap to better understand these concerns, the current study aimed at exploring the perspectives of mental health professionals on challenges in delivering ethically competent care to mentally ill incarcerated older adults in Canada. Methods Thirty-four semi-structured interviews were conducted between August 2017 and November 2018 with prison mental health professionals in Canada who were selected using purposive and convenience sampling techniques. The audio recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed inductively to generate themes. Results The results were distilled into three main categories and seven subcategories that related to ethical issues in the provision of health care for mentally ill incarcerated older adults. The main categories included imprisoned older persons with special care needs, lack of resources, and the peer-support program. Conclusions Results of this study showed that existing practices of care of mentally ill incarcerated older adults are characterised by challenges that increase their vulnerability to worse health conditions. It is imperative for local authorities, policy makers and representatives to prepare for and respond to the challenges that compromise ethically competent health care for, and healthy ageing of, mentally ill incarcerated older adults.

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