PFP Page 7
CONTEXT
Care context
Fundamental to all spiritual care is the recognition that all people have spirituality, and this can have many dimensions. We should respect the spirituality of individuals and endeavour to support each person in the way that is most appropriate for them.
To this end, it would be helpful to accept the statement by Patricia Egan in the Foreword of the National Guidelines for Spiritual Care in Aged Care.
"
In Australia, we have a rich diversity of faiths, cultures, beliefs and traditions and it is important we uphold the rights of older people to express their spirituality in a way that is meaningful for them. These Guidelines recognise that the spiritual dimension is an important aspect of holistic care in the context of individuality and diversity.And this, of course, includes people of all ages, not just older people.
And, finally in the Introduction...
Spirituality and religion
Spirituality is universal,
deeply personal and individual. It goes beyond formal notions of ritual
or religious practice to encompass the unique capacity of each
individual. It is at the core and essence of who we are, that spark
which permeates the entire fabric of the person and demands that we are
all worthy of dignity and respect. It transcends intellectual
capability, elevating the status of all of humanity to that of the
sacred. (McSherry & Smith, 2012)
The Guidelines mention the difference between spirituality and religion where spirituality refers to the dimension of life referenced in the above statements whilst religion usually refers to the organisation of spiritual beliefs by a community. An important distinguishing statement is:
"Spiritual care is not necessarily religious.
Religious care should always be spiritual." (National
Guidelines,
p.8)
The Guidelines support
the concept that the essence of spirituality is “that which gives
meaning, purpose, connectedness and hope” to people. They observe that
there is no standard model for the way spiritual care is provided but
that the core of spiritual care is assisting in the development of
meaningful connectedness with people and/or something or somebody
‘higher’.
