PCC4U Core Module 2: Section 5 provides an overview of spiritual needs and ways to support qualtiy care. Providing culturally-responsive care to people from diverse backgrounds requires consideration of the person and their family’s cultural, spiritual and/or religious beliefs.[1] Talking about spiritual issues and the search for meaning is an important part of holistic care.[2]
For example, in cultures where eating traditional food and gathering to eat with family, friends and community are important, people may express sadness at a person’s loss of appetite or reluctance to eat or drink. Family members may want the perosn to have artificial nutrition if they are no longer eating or drinking. [3] Sensitively discussing changes in the body through the last days of life can help families to understand the reasons for this.[4]
Conversations with the person and their family about their preferences for spiritual care, especially during the end-stages of life, are important. It is also important to consider loss, grief and bereavement and the many different ways that grief is expressed. Factors such as age, gender, social, emotional, spiritual and cultural background impact on an individual’s response to loss and expression of grief.[5]
When supporting families dealing with loss and grief, it is important to continue to have an approach that focuses on open and respectful communication, including:[6]
- Listening respectfully while people talk through and make sense of what has happened
- Giving people space to talk about and express a wide range of emotions, without judgement
- Offering support that fits with individual needs – some people will appreciate more help and more frequent opportunities to talk, while others can find it intrusive.
Thinking Points
- What considerations are important in deciding whether artificial nutrition has a role in a person’s care at end of life?
- How is grief expressed in your family or community? What support would be most helpful for you / your family?
References
- Richardson, P. 2014. Spirituality, religion and palliative care. Ann Palliat Med. 3(3): p. 150-9.
- Wiener, L et al, 2013. Cultural and religious considerations in pediatric palliative care. Palliative & Supportive Care, 11(1), 47-67.
- Anngela-Cole, L & Busch, M. 2011. Stress and Grief Among Family Caregivers of Older Adults With Cancer: A Multicultural Comparison From Hawaii. Journal of Social Work in End-Of-Life & Palliative Care, 7(4), 318-337.
- Palliative Care Australia. 2024. National Palliative Care Standards. 2024 (Edition 5.1).
- Connolly, A. et al, 2012. End-of-Life Care for People with Dementia from Ethnic Minority Groups: A Systematic Review. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 60(2), 351-360.
- Grief Australia. 2022. Website Resources