2012 summer caregiver conference -spirituality, faith, & caregiving--08.11.2012

J. S. McGee - August 2012 1

Spirituality, Faith, and Caregiving

Jocelyn Shealy McGee, MGS, PhDAssistant Professor

Director of Education

Director of Patient & Family Services

Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders CenterDepartment of Neurology

Baylor College of Medicine


• What is spirituality?

• What are some relevant research findings on spirituality, faith, and health?

• How can spirituality and faith be integrated into the daily lives of caregivers and those they provide care for?

Overview of Presentation


What is Spirituality?


Spirituality: The Sacred Domain

Sacred Core

God

Divine

Sacred Ring

Meaning

Family

Place

Friends

Nature

Time

Adapted with permission from Pargament, 2007

Transcendent

Spirit

Relationships

Purpose

Virtues Music

Movement

Wisdom

Beauty

Grace

Work Community


• It can be part of the solution.

• It can be part of the problem.

• People want spiritually sensitive care.

• Spiritually sensitive care is ethical care (APA).

Why study spirituality?


We can study…the footprints of the sacred


Spirituality, Faith, & Diversity


Spirituality, Faith, and Health:

Some Research Findings


The role of spirituality and faith have been studied across the lifespan in people who

have a variety of health related problems……

• Anxiety disorders• Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias• Cancer• Caregivers • Cystic fibrosis• Depression• Heart problems• HIV • Substance abuse• Surgical patients


In general, higher levels of spirituality and faith have been linked to……

• Increased longevity• Lower mortality• Quicker recovery time• More favorable immune profile• Better cognitive aging• Lower rates of depression• Increased coping• Reduced stress• Enhanced quality of life and well-being


For family caregivers, spirituality and faith have been linked to……

• Better communication/relationship with their loved one

• Less perceived burden in their caregiving role • Greater satisfaction in their caregiving role• Higher Self-esteem• Increased well-being• Greater life-satisfaction


For family caregivers, spirituality and faith have been linked to……

• Improved mental health• Less depression• More positive emotional state over time• More positive self-perceptions of health• Fewer doctor’s visits• Less perceived need for social support


Integrating Spirituality & Faith Into Daily Life


Getting Started-Things to Ask Yourself and your Loved One

• What is your spiritual/faith orientation?

• What are some of the current spiritual/religious activities that you enjoy?

• What are some of the spiritual/religious activities that you enjoyed in the past?

• Are there any spiritual/religious activities that you don’t like?

• What are some of the spiritual/faith-based activities that you did frequently in the past (either together or separately)?

• Do you still have spiritual/faith-based books, possessions, or icons that hold personal meaning?


Spiritual/Religious Resources

• Community– Spiritual/religious congregations or groups– Spiritual/religious leaders– Spiritual/religious services, retreats, or events

• Personal– Spiritual/religious beliefs– Spiritual/religious attitudes– Spiritual/religious behaviors/practices


Spiritual Practices for Caregivers

• Recognizing the sacred in everything

• Prayer

• Meditation

• Listening to sacred music

• Reading spiritual/religious writings

• Writing gratitude letters

• Counting ones blessings


Spiritual Practices for Caregivers

• Performing acts of kindness and service

• Practicing forgiveness of self and others

• Giving yourself and your loved one spiritually-

oriented positive affirmations

• Participating in well-loved religious rituals

• Practicing spiritually-oriented guided imagery


Conclusion

Caregiving itself can be viewed as a spiritual practice…

What you do to provide care for you loved one each day is sacred…


Study on Spirituality, Faith, Health, & Well-being

• Who is eligible?– Family caregivers of people with dementia– Age 18 and older– Fluent in English

• What is involved?– Filling out a questionnaire

• Who is sponsoring the study?– Baylor College of Medicine, Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders Center

• Collaborators– Amazing Place Memory and Wellness Center– Baylor University– Interfaith Carepartners

• For more information contact: Jocelyn Shealy McGee, MSG, PhD

Tel: 713.798.7791

Email: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


Nature


Rhythm and Sound


Shelling Peas


Baking Bread


The Human-Animal Bond


Relationship


Community


Worship


Study on Spirituality, Faith, Health, & Well-being

• Who is eligible?– Family caregivers of people with dementia– Age 18 and older– Fluent in English

• What is involved?– Filling out a questionnaire

• Who is sponsoring the study?– Baylor College of Medicine, Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders Center

• Collaborators– Amazing Place Memory and Wellness Center– Baylor University– Interfaith Carepartners

• For more information contact: Jocelyn Shealy McGee, MSG, PhD

Tel: 713.798.7791

Email: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

2012 summer caregiver conference -spirituality, faith, & caregiving--08.11.2012

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