Spiritually-Sensitive Care in Hospice Social Work

Abstract

Spirituality is an important issue for many patients in hospice care. The need for spiritual care often increases as patients struggle to accept the dying process. When patients fail to meet their spiritual needs, a deep sense of spiritual pain can result which may require the provision of spiritual care. Spiritual care usually involves a patient's religious leader or hospice chaplain; however, social workers have the ability to provide spiritually-sensitive generalist practice. The characteristics of spiritually-sensitive generalist practice include appreciating differences, seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary, conveying reverence, being authentic, being responsive, and expressing love. Supportive presence, effective communication, and emotional connection are described as examples of spiritually-supportive generalist practice.