Ageing and Spirituality Across Faiths and Cultures

Citation

Williams, P. (2011), "Ageing and Spirituality Across Faiths and Cultures", Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, Vol. 12 No. 2, pp. 128-128. https://doi.org/10.1108/qaoa.2011.12.2.128.1

Acknowledging the spiritual needs of older people across all cultures must be a prime concern for all health care professionals. Gone are the days when certain cultures were in the minority within the UK, as a result this text forms an excellent basis and thought provoking book which addresses the needs of the older population, whatever the culture and background in light of the spiritual needs of patients clients in today's “Health Needs Society”.

Each chapter deals with the very diverse spiritual needs within a multi‐cultural multi‐faith society with a current focus on positive aging. This text is also an invaluable aid in providing care as suggested by the Nursing and Midwifery Council code in 2008. Chapter 2 sets the scene by linking the interrelationship between spirituality, culture away from Christianity, Judaism and Islam only to include a much broader view of the needs of today's population and those throughout the world to include the indigenous population of Australia. Of interest is the difference of the care provision in Australia compared to that of the UK. Chapter 3 continues to develop the “ageing spirit”, a concept enabling the older population in engaging with life despite a failing body and mind. The examples shown by the author through story telling, do not detract from Christianity, but develop a more holistic view of patient care.

Elizabeth MacKinlay in Chapter 5 expands on the role of friends and neighbours in caring for an ageing population through a Christian perspective. The text clearly identifies the many groups or Christian denominations, with the need for and the role of the pastoral care offered. The exploration of the pastoral care linked to friendship and neighbours can only result in developing the meaning for life within the older person who no longer feels worthy or of worth. Similarly, the chapters on Judaism and Islamic perspectives on aging are in so much detail as to provide the reader with a clear insight into the needs of these populations whose spirituality is a way of life for day‐to‐day living when providing a service for the elderly. Compared to previous literature for nurse education, this text far outweighs the quality of information offered.

The chapters on Buddhism and Hinduism deal with aging and dying in a very sensitive manner linked well to the spiritual needs specific to these faiths. The remaining chapters complement the rest of the text in discussing the frail older person and their specific needs. These sections although discussing the frailty of these groups does not detract from the positive aspects of ageing linked to spiritually and culture.

To complement the previous chapters, the final chapters deal with the spiritual well being of veterans in care homes and their need to once again find meaning in life and the specific needs of religious sisters who have led a life of contemplation and obedience which continues until death.

Overall, the book provides an excellent insight into the spiritual and cultural needs of an ageing population and finally looks at promoting a high quality care service for the present and the future. I would highly recommend this book for all health professionals working with an aging population and suggest it as an ideal resource for nurse education.