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December 18, 2006
Spirituality & Aging
The concept of "body-mind-spirit" is often referenced by those who provide care for aging adults. But is it just a "buzz-phrase" or does addressing and encouraging the spiritual sense of older adults make a difference in their quality of life or their longevity? Numerous studies have asked this question and have found:
40% - lower risk of diastolic hypertension among people aged 65 years and older who attended religious services at least once a week and prayed or studied the Bible at least daily.
50% - lower incidence of elevated levels of interleukin-6, an immune system protein involved in a wide variety of age-related disease, for people who attended church at least once a week.
11 days - the average number of days in the hospital spent by participants in a Duke Univeristy study of 542 patients aged 60 or older admitted to Duke University Medical Center who attended religious services weekly or more.
25 days - the average number of days in the hospital spent by participants in the Duke University study who had no religious affiliation.
Source: "God Power: Spiritual & Religious Practice," McMan's Depression and Bipolar Web
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What does "spirituality" mean?
Many people believe that spirituality forms an essential part of an individual’s holistic health and well-being. The concept of spirituality, however, is one of broad scope and personal nature. To better understand the impact of spirituality, it is useful to focus on key concepts that arise when people describe what spirituality means to them.
In a 1998 issue of the Journal of Advanced Nursing, Martsolf and Mickley highlighted the following areas as worthy of consideration:
- Meaning – significance of life; making sense of situations; deriving purpose
- Values – beliefs, standards and ethics that one cherishes.
- Transcendence – experience, awareness, and appreciation of a “transcendent dimension” to life beyond self.
- Connecting – increased awareness of a connection with self, others, God/Spirit/Divine, and Nature.
- Becoming – an unfolding of life that demands reflection and experience; including a sense of who one is and how one knows.
Source: Martsolf D.S. and Mickley J.R. (1998) “The concept of spirituality in nursing theories: differing worldviews and extent of focus” Journal of Advanced Nursing 27, 294-303.
Online resources for spirituality & aging
To find more information regarding the relationship between spirituality and aging, check out these web-based resources (click on the title to go to the website) :
Spirituality and Aging (University of Missouri-Kansas City)
International Center for the Integration of Health and Spirituality
Faith In Action: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Journal of Religious Gerontology
Johnson Institute for Maturing Adult Faith Formation and Spiritual Gerontology
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An interview with
Sr. Martinette Rivers, OLS, spiritual gerontologist
The University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community nd the Indiana Inter-College Council on Aging recently enjoyed a visit from Sister Martinette Rivers, OLS a Catholic nun and spiritual gerontologist from
Shreveport
Louisiana
. Sr. Marty has a passion for helping older adults – “oldsters” or “agers,” as she calls those in their later years – live well and age gracefully.
Q: What is spiritual gerontology?
Sr. Marty: "Spiritual gerontology is the process of touching the core or soul of an aging person. It’s about stressing the positive aspects of aging; no gray hair grows on the soul. I try to help people learn to rely on their spiritual selves to help them live moment by moment. So many people think of aging in terms of decline and disease."
Q: What does your work as a spiritual gerontologist involve?
Sr. Marty: "I offer weekly spiritual aging workshops in nursing homes and senior centers throughout the
Shreveport
(Louisiana) area, as well as day-long aging retreats. I also give lectures to students at Louisiana State University School of Medicine on 'Learning the New Language of Elders.' "
Q: How do we as a society get away from viewing aging as a disease?
Sr. Marty: "We need to start with our children. We need to teach them to respect their parents and other adults. We need to abandon the search for perpetual youth and be proud of our age. After all, age is just the number of years we’ve been around the sun."
Q: How can we age gracefully?
Sr. Marty: "Be passionate about something. A passionate heart never grows old. Be grateful, not just for the things you have, but for the years you’ve lived. Be a good listener. But humble and patient – with yourself and with others. Look forward to the future with hope in your heart. Experience joy moment by moment each day. Be forgiving and merciful with yourself for the sins of the past."
To read Sr. Marty's "Beatitudes of Aging," click here.
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Spirituality & Aging bookshelf
Several books have been written on aging and spirituality. Here is a list of some available through Amazon.com:
Aging, Spirituality and Palliative Care by Elizabeth Mackinley (Paperback November 2006)
Aging, Spirituality and Religion: A Handbook by James E. Birren, Melvin A. Kimble, Susan H. McFadden, and James W. Ellor. (Paperback February 2004)
Viktor Frankl’s Contribution to Spirituality and Aging by Melvin A. Kimble (Hardcover May 2001)
Aging and Spirituality: Spiritual Dimensions of Aging Theory, Research, Practice and Policy by David O. Moberg (Paperback April 2001)
Religion, Spirituality and Aging: A Social Work Perspective (Journal of Gerontological Social Work) by Harry R. Moody (Paperback October 2005)
Aging, Spirituality and Pastoral Care: A Multi-National Perspective by Elizabeth Mackinley, James W. Ellor, and Stephen K. Pickard. (Hardcover April 2002)
Winter Grace: Spirituality and Aging by Kathleen R. Fischer (Paperback March 1998)
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Home Health Depot, Inc. & Always Best Care of Indiana, LLC present:
"Strategies for Designing Independent Living"
January 9, 2007
8:00-10:00am - Indianapolis
1:30- 3:00pm - Columbus, IN
As part of its ongoing IN Place series, the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community is pleased to host Louis Tenebaum, an independent living strategist and national expert on home modifications and assistive technology, for two presentations on January 9, 2007.
Tenebaum will present "Strategies for Designing Independent Living" from 8:30am-10:00am at the University of Indianapolis and from 1:30-3:00pm in Columbus, Indiana, in Kroot Auditorium at Columbus Regional Hospital.
The Columbus presentation will be co-hosted by Senior Center Services of Bartholomew County and Aging & Community Services of South Central Indiana, Inc. (Area 11 Agency on Aging). Tenenbaum will discuss with participants the integration of home modifications, assistive technology and equipment, and caregiving.
To attend either presentation, please RSVP to Lidia Dubicki at (317) 791-5930 and specify which presentation you will attend. Please RSVP by January 4, 2007. Many thanks to Home Health Depot, Inc. and Always Best Care of Indiana, LLC for their generous sponsorship of these presentations.
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Governor's Conference on Service & Volunteerism
seeks registrants and nominees
The 2007 Governor's Conference on Service & Volunteerism will be held March 12-13, 2007 at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. Highlights of the conference wil include eight conference tracks, over 60 breakout sessions, two conference service projects, and the presentation of the Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Service and Volunteerism.
Nominations are currently being taken for the awards. Honorees will be recognized for outstanding volunteer contributions to causes including health care, neighborhood revitalization, youth and senior activities, the arts, education, justice, housing, nutrition and social services at the Governor’s Conference on Service and Volunteerism gala awards breakfast.
To register for the conference, visit www.ofbci.in.gov/conference. To nominate someone for a Governor's Award, please go to http://www.in.gov/ofbci/conference/pdfs/Governors_Awards.pdf
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Grants to go for
Check out these grant opportunities from the federal government:
Oral Health of Special Needs & Older Populations:
Offered by: National Institutes of Health
Closing date for applications: Multiple; see full announcement at link below.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-151.html
Improving Diet and Physical Activity Assessment: Grants may be for projects targeting various populations, including older adults.
Offered by: National Institutes of Health
Closing date for applications: Multiple; see full announcement at link below.
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=7442&mode=VIEW
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Have news to share?
If you have an idea or suggestion for the IANA e-news, or if your organization has an announcement you would like published, please contact Amy Magan at amagan@uindy.edu or (317) 791-5933. Announcements should be no more than 200 words and should be applicable to aging service providers. All submissions are subject to editing for length and clarity.
The IANA e-news is published the third week of each month by the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community.
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University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community
901 S. Shelby Street Indianapolis, IN 46203
(317) 791-5930 PHONE (317) 791-5945 FAX http://cac.uindy.edu
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