Spirituality and ageing for health and aged-care workers: what we teach them and they teach us

1. Spirituality and ageing for health and aged-care workers: what we teach them and they teach us Chris Perkins: 1st Oct 2010 Selwyn Centre for Ageing and Spirituality Auckland, New Zealand

2. “While we teach, we learn.”  Seneca (Roman philosopher, mid-1st century AD)

3. Spirituality in aged-care - across the ditch • Our workshops • Where to from here?

4. Policies require… • a holistic approach to care and support-including consideration of physical and mental health, social, emotional and spiritual needs of older people. (Health of Older People Strategy 2000) • Wellbeing = a dimension of health beyond the absence of disease or infirmity including social, emotional and spiritual aspects of health” (Health of Older People Stategy 2000) • Positive ageing includes physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual wellbeing (Positive Ageing Strategy) • Wharetapawha model of Maori health: tahawairua= “ the most essential requirement for health.” (Durie 1998 p.70)

5. But we don’t know how to… Nurses • identify spiritual care as the exclusive realm of chaplains or religious agents'; • steer clear of spiritual material for fear they are unqualified, ill-equipped, or • It is not part of their job description’. (Narayanasamy 1993) Only (11%of 176 nurses) felt able to provide spiritual care for their patients (Nolan &Crawford 1997)

6. And we don’t. Audit of MHSOP charts: 13 / 30 mentioned religion (not spirituality)- mostly superficial recording, despite many patients having serious often life-threatening conditions (or religious delusions).

7. Focus groups: Staff: don’t record because: • too busy, • not seen as important part of assessment (by doctors) medical / scientific model, • team meetings focus on safety and progress (but not process of recovery) • NZ is a secular society… other countries e.g. South Africa, Philippines record religion on admission.

8. Our workshops Our premise-spiritual care depends on us being in a “right relationship with ourselves before we can be in an authentic relationship with others,” (p. 287 Lawrence & Head 2009) • Goals • Methods • Participants

11. Some results • What people like about working with older people • What is spirituality? • Nurturing one’s own spirituality

13. What we like about working with older people • Hearing their stories • Being able to help / being appreciated • Ability to make connection • Peace and calm 4=. Character 6. Wisdom and meaning-making 7.Holistic / biopsychosocial-spiritual

14. What we understand by spirituality” • Connectedness-relationship • Felt state • Self-awareness • Meaning / purpose • State of harmony • Something beyond us • Evolving with time and crises • Miscellaneous

15. Ways to access spirituality for ourselves • Relationship • Arts • Nature • Religion • Place

19. Feedback feedback

20. More • What a privilege to have been able to attend the two sessions of Spirituality and Ageing these past two Fridays. It has been a truly uplifting, nourishing, hands on or should I say"hearts on" experience. I have gained and been given so much and now hopefully I will be able to connect more readily with our residents and give something back to them.     I am aware that the eight hours that we were together was but a fraction of the effort and energy that went into making the time so worthwhile. When Teruni said "she had been thinking of us all"during the week, I am sure that was the understatement of the month.During the inbetween week I felt incredibly uplifted and energised and I am sure the whole group was being prayed for, considered and energised.I want to say thank you too for all the thought and creative talent that went into making the space beautiful. Everything was done with such excellence and care and it was appreciated as were the refreshments and library facilities.   We were a mixed group as I'm sure every group is, but it was amazing how we were blended together from our different backgrounds, able to learn from each other and how the quieter ones were given confidence to contribute which benefited us all.  Again, thank you both so much for modelling spirituality and ageing to us all so effectively. • Two of us from organisation attended the Spirituality Course run at St John's recently and just wanted to write and thank you for orgnising it.  Helen & I found it very enriching both on a personal & professional level.  I am very keen to Have all my staff attend at some stage as it very much encompasses our philosophy.

21. Where to? • Preaching to the converted • How to maintain spiritual awareness despite busy, physically-focused work • How to advance knowledge and practice • Paying more than lip service to holistic care beyond the coal face

22. conclusion • Staff enjoy working with older people for a range of reasons • They have a sophisticated understanding of the concept of spirituality • They appreciate the chance to reflect and talk about an otherwise neglected topic

23. conclusion • They are the front line for meeting the spiritual needs in older people - they need to be prepared. • Given the opportunity they can draw on their own rich inner resources to do this. • Being at the workshops has increased my understanding – I learn something new each time.