Spirituality can be good for seniors' health, especially if the senior living community they live in supports religious practices.
Spirituality is important to a lot of people, and as we get older, it can become even more important. According to a study by the University of Chicago, people's faith in god tends to grow as they get older, especially among people over 68. The spiritual practices of these older people are good for their health in many ways.
For example, spirituality can make the lives of older people with dementia better. International Psychogeriatrics says that practicing a religion can help reduce or stop cognitive disorders and slow the loss of brain function. Spirituality can help people with dementia keep relationships, keep hope, and find meaning in their lives.
Sister Karen Kielb, a Chaplain at Mercy Retirement & Care Center, says, "Dementia may seem to hide the need for spirituality, but from what I've seen, cognitive impairment does not take away our natural need for inner peace, comfort, prayer, and rituals."
Another good thing about spirituality is that most faith groups have a strong sense of community. People's faith helps them make and keep friends, whether they do this by going to group services or just praying with a friend.
Seniors, who are more likely to become lonely as they age, need opportunities to interact with other people. Staying social can lower the risk of heart problems, Alzheimer's disease, and some cancers, as well as lower the risk of being lonely and depressed.
Having these social ties can be especially comforting when things are hard. Many older people have to deal with the death of a spouse or other close person. Others may be worried about their own health or death. Faith can give you a way to deal with these hard problems.
Sister Karen says that end-of-life issues may bring up bad memories for some residents that may need to be resolved in some way. "Having a spiritual community that supports you can help you feel less upset and move toward acceptance and resolution."
At Mercy, it's clear that spirituality is good for seniors. A full-time spiritual care team works to meet the spiritual needs of all residents, no matter what they believe. People in the community follow many different religions. Others don't belong to a specific religion, but they think of themselves as spiritual.
Ann was one of these people who lived at Mercy for 26 years. When she moved to an assisted living community in Oakland, she didn't follow any one religion. Ann was very shy and quiet at first, but she soon did well in the community's welcoming atmosphere.
Sister Karen says, "I think Ann did well here at Mercy because of the spiritual atmosphere." "I like to think that Mercy made her life better, just as she made the lives of everyone here at Mercy better, no matter what religion she was or how she showed her faith."
Sister Karen and the spiritual care staff try to make Mercy a place where everyone feels welcome because of stories like Ann's. So that everyone can enjoy the health benefits of spirituality, no matter what religion they follow.
Sister Karen says, "Some people here aren't religious, some aren't Catholic, and some aren't anything." "Having an idea or connection to something they believe in gives them hope and support, and I think that adds to the idea of mind, body, and spirit wellness."
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