The human spirit allows us to assess the meaning and purpose of life as well as how our relationships with others work. Those who specialize in hospice services notice that people start asking existential questions near the end of their lives. These reflections can include wondering who they are, how they lived their lives, and if they ever made a difference in the lives of other people.
Since hospice services are meant to support a person’s quality of life, they must also encompass a patient’s spiritual and emotional needs. After all, they are just as important as their physical well-being.
Nurturing the Spirit
When a person starts receiving hospice care at home, the health care team who assists them will identify their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs and develop a unique care plan.
The care plan is overseen by a physician and often can include a Hospice Chaplain. Chaplains converse with patients and their loved ones to gain an understanding of the individual’s spiritual perspective. Through these conversations, the family can know what the patient regards as meaningful and sacred.
Heading Towards Spiritual Peace
Taking care of a patient’s spirituality can be considered essential in hospice care. As the patient undergoes transitional health services, the family must also find spiritual practitioners who can meet the individual’s spiritual needs. At the end of life, emotions that begin to surface become more complex and powerful. Chaplains are available to listen to patients as needed.
Some who feel regret in their relationships might feel the need to put those unresolved conflicts to rest. Others might want to start doing something to make them feel that their lives have been valuable. During this process, patients can meet a chaplain who will help provide prayers or serve as a middleman between the patient and the clergy.
The physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual needs of humans are all connected. As such, it is best to have these needs met and nurtured. A positive spiritual outlook can help reduce pain and anxiety and improve comfort and quality of life.
Spiritual Happiness at the End of Life
Even patients who do not identify as religious can benefit from the spiritual nourishment provided by chaplains and similar practitioners. Chaplains help determine a patient’s spiritual strengths by listening attentively, asking the right questions, and allowing the individual to define the flow of the conversation. Essentially, a chaplain can help patients rediscover themselves as they transition in the last phase of life.
Conclusion
In addition to the help provided by a hospice team in Denver, it is essential to have the right individuals who can help nourish and nurture a patient’s spirituality. As their final chapter unfolds, patients will be more inclined to ask questions about the meaning of life and how well they have lived theirs. Including spiritual nurturing in the hospice care plan supports patients to live well as they approach the end.
At Gateway Home Health and Hospice, we understand what our patients need to live a good and meaningful life. We provide premium quality home-based patient care, creating an atmosphere of respect for human dignity. Our team of highly trained clinicians and therapists offer nothing less than the best home help for the elderly. For inquiries, contact us today.