How to Meet the Spiritual Needs of Hospice Patients
The importance of spiritual care in hospice
As your loved one battles with a life-limiting illness, hospice care can ease their physical pain and symptoms. But what about the emotional turmoil they may be struggling with or the spiritual pain they have as their life draws to a close? The founder of modern-day hospice care, Dame Cicely Saunders, once said that “spiritual care is not an optional extra for the dying.” In other words, spiritual care plays a necessary part of end-of-life care. At Ethos Hospice, we can help support your loved one’s spirit, no matter what their personal spiritual beliefs or religion may be.
What is spiritual care in hospice?
Spiritual care is designed to address an individual’s spiritual or religious needs, no matter their beliefs. For example, spiritual care and support often help people process the existential questions that human beings have contemplated for thousands of years: What is the meaning of life? What happens after we die? These types of questions can be overwhelming and stressful, especially for someone in hospice care. Spiritual care can help ease your loved one’s concerns and give them peace of mind during this time.
The benefits of meeting spiritual needs at the end-of-life
As your loved one is traveling through their final chapter, they may be grappling with doubts about whether they truly made a difference in the lives of others. Spiritual care in hospice can relieve your loved one of these concerns, offering:
- Comfort and peace. From personal regrets to existential fears, spiritual care can bring your loved one calmness, contentment, and peace. Chaplains can pray with your loved one and give them advice to comfort and relax them in their final days.
- Meaning. Life is all about searching for meaning and purpose. Maybe your loved one never felt like they found their true calling or perhaps they just need to reflect on what their purpose has been. Through conversations with chaplains, spiritual care can help your loved one see how meaningful their life has been.
- Greater quality of life. When those in hospice can let go of their fears and find emotional and spiritual wellness, they are able to enjoy the time they have left with their family and friends. Spiritual care is meant to relieve your loved one’s spiritual pain to help improve their quality of life.
Spiritual care services provided by Ethos Hospice
At Ethos Hospice, spiritual care is all about meeting the patient where they are in their spiritual beliefs or religious practice. This intimate, personalized experience is provided by chaplains and volunteers who work with Ethos Hospice patients. If your loved one worshiped at Sunday mass every week, our volunteers or chaplains can lead prayer and Bible study with them. If your loved one's spiritual needs are more focused on working through their final thoughts and feelings about their life, our chaplains can meet with them for one-on-one spiritual counseling and guidance.
Our spiritual care providers are also available to you and your family as you progress through this difficult and emotional time. They can be a shoulder to lean on if you need to cry and someone who can listen if you would like to talk. They can guide conversations between you and your loved one to help you both feel closer to each other during this time, or they can just sit silently with you and your family during your loved one’s final days.
Once your loved one has passed, Ethos Hospice offers 13 months of bereavement support. Our staff can provide spiritual and emotional support, can pray with you, sing with you, and listen to stories you share as you mourn your loved one’s passing and celebrate their life.
Meet the needs of your loved one with Ethos Hospice
At Ethos Hospice, we strive to make every day more comfortable and joyful for our patients and their loved ones. During this time, we know how important it is for individuals to be at peace. Our spiritual care services can comfort and guide your loved one, help them connect to their spirituality and religious beliefs, and bring you and your loved one closer.
If you are unsure whether it is time to consider hospice care, take our free online assessment. This will help you work through some of the most common hospice indicators and decide whether or not your loved one might qualify. For additional questions and information, please fill out an online form or call (701) 515-0240.
Last updated December 7th, 2023
Meet the Author
Scott Holm is the Director of Ethos Home Health Care and Hospice. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education and Exercise Science, as well as a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of North Dakota.
Scott began his professional career at Altru Health System in Grand Forks where he spent 11 years building on his knowledge. He held multiple positions such as Inpatient Physical Therapist, Supervisor of Outpatient Therapy, Lean Facilitator, and Practice Manager of Surgical Specialty Clinics. Scott joined the Ethos Home Health Care and Hospice team in October of 2022 as the Regional Clinical Manager in Grand Forks and was promoted to Director in June of 2023. Scott demonstrates excellent leadership, care, and compassion and he is passionate about serving North Dakota and Minnesota communities.
In addition to his professional career, Scott is married to his wife, Grace, and together they have 4 children. He enjoys golfing, running, and spending time at the lake with his family.
