The evaluation of spiritual care in a dementia care setting.

Goodall MA

Spiritual care has become an integral part of the care package offered to older people who move to residential care. However, spirituality is a word that can mean everything or nothing and as such becomes difficult to define. Assessment of `spiritual care' becomes a real challenge, because it raises important questions. These are as follows: the nature of spiritual care; how it is offered; and who takes responsibility for it. This is especially true in dementia care homes where residents cannot normally take part in evaluation. This paper offers a model of evaluation of spiritual care by using reflection, relationship and restoration, and through observing the virtues described in the Biblical concept of `fruit of the spirit'.

SPIRITUAL care (Medical care); MEDICAL care & religion; SPIRITUALITY; DEMENTIA; LONG-term care facilities; EVALUATION

Dementia (14713012), 2009, Vol 8, Issue 2, p167

1471-3012

Academic Journal

10.1177/1471301209103249