Residents’ and caregivers’ views on spiritual care and their understanding of spiritual needs in persons with dementia: A meta-synthesis

Abstract

Aims

To synthesize research that investigated how residents and caregivers view spiritual care, come to understand the spiritual needs of people with dementia, and how caregivers provide care congruent with peoples’ needs.

Methods and study design

Meta-synthesis using Noblit and Hare’s meta-ethnography. A synthesis of eight qualitative, empirical, primary studies that explored spiritual care in the context of dementia care was performed.

Findings

Spiritual care for persons with dementia was described in the forms of (i) performing religious rituals that provides a sense of comfort and(ii) coming to know the person, which provides opportunities to understand a person's meaning and purpose, and (iii) attending to basic needs provides an opportunity to appreciate others’ vulnerability and humanness.

Conclusions

Spiritual care intended to help persons with dementia to express their faith and religious beliefs, and help persons with dementia experience meaning in life, connectedness to self, God/deity and other persons.