Geriatric Oncology, Spirituality, and Palliative Care

Abstract

Cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality for older individuals. Palliative care is essential to improve the outcome of cancer treatment in terms of quality of life and treatment satisfaction. This review examines the influence of spirituality on aging in general and on the management of older cancer patients. A spiritual perspective has been associated with successful aging, and with better tolerance of physical and emotional stress, including the ability to cope with serious diseases and with isolation. It has also been associated with decreased risk of suicide and depression. Gerotranscendence, the more urgent search for meaning by older than younger individuals, confirms the importance of spirituality in this phase of life. Spirituality has also improved the quality of life and reduced the risk of disease and death for the patient's caregiver. Addressing patient and caregiver spirituality may render the palliative care of cancer more effective and may also aid in detection and management of spiritual pain, which may prevent healing at the end of life.

The influence of religiosity on depressive disorders and suicidal behavior

“…Область имеющихся на настоящий момент исследований не ограничивается исключительно сферой психического здоровья. Результаты некоторых работ, связанных с паллиативным лечением поздних стадий онкологического заболевания, также показывают снижение выраженности проявлений депрессии и суицидальной активности [22][23][24][25] Одной из работ, иллюстрирующих положительное влияние фактора религиозности, является метаанализ исследований, опубликованных в 1872-2010 гг., проведенный G. Koenig и соавт. [26].…”

Las personas con enfermedad terminal y la necesidad de cuidados paliativos: una deuda pendiente de los servicios de salud

“…Independientemente de si los usuarios son agnósticos, ateos o creyentes, en situaciones cercanas a la muerte, aparecen cuestiones existenciales que el equipo de CP debe estar preparado para manejar. Tal vez no podrán responder, pero si saber conducir la entrevista [69] .…”

The Relationship Between Social Support, Spirituality With Stress Towards the Burden of Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients: A Literature Review

“…Another factor associated with the caregiving burden is the spirituality of caregivers. Spirituality will improve the quality of life of caregivers (14). In addition, the caregiving burden was negatively effect on quality of life among caregivers (3).…”

“…Spirituality is a quality inherent in humans that refers to search, expressions of meaning and purpose and how to experience the connection to events, oneself, others, nature, something essential or sacred (20). Spirituality involves the recognition of the quality of attachment to God in every human activity (14). Spirituality and religion are interconnected domains.…”

“…Religion is practiced inside or outside organized places of worship, and implies belief in God; God can be achieved through various processes including prayer, ritual, and community service. Religion is a manifestation of spirituality (14).…”