Abstract
Background
In Wales, dementia patients should have a CTP completed which contains 8 domains, one of which is concerned with social/cultural/spiritual needs (Domain 7). A small audit suggested that this domain may not be regularly completed thus dementia patients’ spiritual needs may potentially go unmet.
Aim
To explore how the spiritual needs of dementia patients are addressed within care and treatment plans in 3 Health Boards in Wales.
Method
1. Literature review of spiritual care in dementia
2. Thematic analysis of Domain 7 of a purposive sample of 150 CTPs (with Domain 7 completed) collected from wards and community settings in 3 Health Boards to see what is documented about dementia patients’ social/cultural/spiritual needs
3. Focus groups with staff to explore their views on completing Domain 7
Results
There is a dearth of literature on spiritual care in dementia.
Analysis revealed that the main focus in Domain 7 was on social needs such as engaging in meaningful activities and helping patients maintain social connections. Spiritual needs were mainly documented with reference to patients’ religious affiliation and associated religious rituals/practices.
Focus groups with staff revealed that they found this domain difficult to complete because they were unsure of what it meant or how to meaningfully assess and appropriately respond when patients could not make their spiritual needs and care preferences known, especially when acute episodes masked the ‘essence of the person’. Staff acknowledged that spirituality was broader than religion but found it difficult to know how to document these broader aspects and would value further education. Staff reported that Domain 7 was one of the least frequently completed domains.
Conclusion
There is need for further education of staff in addressing the spiritual aspects of dementia care.
In Wales, dementia patients should have a CTP completed which contains 8 domains, one of which is concerned with social/cultural/spiritual needs (Domain 7). A small audit suggested that this domain may not be regularly completed thus dementia patients’ spiritual needs may potentially go unmet.
Aim
To explore how the spiritual needs of dementia patients are addressed within care and treatment plans in 3 Health Boards in Wales.
Method
1. Literature review of spiritual care in dementia
2. Thematic analysis of Domain 7 of a purposive sample of 150 CTPs (with Domain 7 completed) collected from wards and community settings in 3 Health Boards to see what is documented about dementia patients’ social/cultural/spiritual needs
3. Focus groups with staff to explore their views on completing Domain 7
Results
There is a dearth of literature on spiritual care in dementia.
Analysis revealed that the main focus in Domain 7 was on social needs such as engaging in meaningful activities and helping patients maintain social connections. Spiritual needs were mainly documented with reference to patients’ religious affiliation and associated religious rituals/practices.
Focus groups with staff revealed that they found this domain difficult to complete because they were unsure of what it meant or how to meaningfully assess and appropriately respond when patients could not make their spiritual needs and care preferences known, especially when acute episodes masked the ‘essence of the person’. Staff acknowledged that spirituality was broader than religion but found it difficult to know how to document these broader aspects and would value further education. Staff reported that Domain 7 was one of the least frequently completed domains.
Conclusion
There is need for further education of staff in addressing the spiritual aspects of dementia care.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 18 May 2018 |
| Event | 6th European Conference on Religion, Spirituality and Health and 5th International Conference of the British Association for the Study of Spirituality. Forgiveness and Reconciliation. - Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom Duration: 17 May 2018 → 19 May 2018 http://www.ecrsh.eu |
Conference
| Conference | 6th European Conference on Religion, Spirituality and Health and 5th International Conference of the British Association for the Study of Spirituality. Forgiveness and Reconciliation. |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Coventry |
| Period | 17/05/18 → 19/05/18 |
| Internet address |