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

Lucivalda Barbosa Santos,Raniele Araújo De Freitas,Amélia Maria Pithon Borges Nunes,Marta Gabriele Santos Sales,Tânia Maria De Oliva Menezes,Ana Luíza Barreto De Oliveira

doi:10.1590/0034-7167-2020-0402

Lucivalda Barbosa Santos, Raniele Araújo De Freitas + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2020-0402

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Abstract

to understand care for the spiritual dimension provided by caregivers in a Nursing Home. this is a qualitative research, carried out in a geriatric center of a philanthropic hospital in the city of Salvador, Bahia. Eighteen formal caregivers participated, through a semi-structured interview, between January and February 2019. The data were analyzed in the light of Jean Watson's Theory of Transpersonal Caring. formal caregivers discuss the spiritual dimension based on older adults' religious beliefs, encourage religious practices and exercise spiritual care according to older adults' physical, emotional and spiritual demands. formal caregivers understand that older adults' religious or spiritual experiences should be included in their work routine. Care for the spiritual dimension occurs by stimulating faith in God, encouraging religious practices and embracing their beliefs in the face of physical, emotional and spiritual demands.

Highlights

The population is aging at a great pace in contemporary times
Spirituality comes from the ability to withstand mishaps, difficulties and losses intrinsic to this phase, in which there is a diversity of spiritual experience, having in common the recognition of its relevance to aging with quality of life[16]
It is in this age group that there is a greater involvement of religious practices or activities

Summary

Introduction

The population is aging at a great pace in contemporary times. According to the World Health Organization, in developing countries, a person is considered elderly when they are over 60 years old. The increase in life expectancy may be accompanied by chronic non-communicable and disabling diseases in older adults, implying possible physical, cognitive and emotional changes, generating dependency and demands for permanent care for family members[2], who sometimes hire caregivers to assist them in the task of caring. In this context, the formal caregiver has become a reality in caring for older adults, as they perform some activities that help with their physical and psychosocial limitations. It is not in the exercise of this profession to perform technical procedures for the nursing team[3]

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