The application of transpersonal and spiritual care for older adults receiving palliative care

Abstract

<jats:p>Abstract Objective : To identify the perception of nurses regarding spiritual care for older patients undergoing palliative care. Methods : A descriptive study with a qualitative approach was carried out with 27 care nurses at the Hospital Universitário de Brasília, Brazil, in 2018. The interviews were conducted through a semi-structured script and submitted to content analysis. The discourse structuring for the collective subject technique was applied. Results : Five discourses of the collective subject were constructed and grouped into two categories entitled Spiritual Care Provided By Nurses, and Favorable and Unfavorable Factors For the Provision of Spiritual Care For Older Patients. From the central nuclei contained in the reports, the respondents considered spiritual care and family participation in palliative care important. However, they mainly attributed the role of intervening in spirituality to religious volunteers and the family. Conclusion : The study shows that despite the difficulties in providing spiritual care, family support, moments of listening and the carrying out of activities that motivate inner peace are significant for an improved response to the spirituality of older patients.</jats:p>

Nurses’ performance in palliative care: spiritual care in the light of Theory of Human Caring

“…Among the problems related to the lack of incentive to spiritual and religious practices and beliefs, there was a lack of time among nursing professionals, since, in view of other care attributions, they may not be able to provide assistance that contemplates body-mind-soul. A qualitative study, carried out with 27 nursing assistants, showed that this lack of time, associated with the exhaustive work routine, the lack of knowledge about the spiritual dimension, care centered on the biological dimension and the absence of emotional support to the team, all of this contributes to hinder the spiritual dimension in palliative care (22) .…”

Care for the spiritual dimension provided by caregivers in a nursing home

“…The theory is applicable precisely at times when invasive interventions and procedures must be replaced by a spiritual approach. It encompasses other dimensions about health and the relationship between the person who cares and the person who receives care, as both emotions and subjectivity are present (22) . Transpersonal care leads to changes in objectives, as it involves the mischaracterization of care with practices that are only of a physical, technical and impersonal nature (18) .…”