Palliative Care
in Dumfries and Galloway
Staff Area
What is spirituality?
Spirituality is the sense of what makes a person them, and the context in which they see themselves as a person and their sense of purpose in life. In palliative care it may include their beliefs around death – where they are going, what happens to them, or how they are remembered.
For some it is closely linked with religious beliefs or faith. Some people have their own individual belief system or faith which may or may not be based on a traditional belief system.
To be able to understand what is important to a person, and to help them come to a shared understanding of health and social care interventions, it is important to explore these issues with an individual and their loved ones. Unresolved spiritual distress may result in difficult to control symptoms, and may impact on decision making.
How can I explore someone's spirituality?
A good place to start is with a genuinely curious exploration of “What is important to you at this time?”
Another helpful question is “What should I know about you as a person?”
You can ask open questions such as “tell me about your family” (if they have a family) or “tell me about your friends”
It is important to ask if a person has any religious beliefs or faith. This may lead on to discussions about loss of or affirmation of faith as death is approaching.
If you feel you need help addressing someone’s spiritual needs, either contact the spiritual care team, the specialist palliative care team or the person’s usual faith leader.