{"title":"Transforming the narrative of aging and dementia in faith communities: toward a new paradigm of inclusion","authors":"Brian Garrison","doi":"10.1080/15528030.2021.1885003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15528030.2021.1885003","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT This conceptual paper will examine the role of faith communities in promoting inclusivity of persons living with dementia (PLWD) and their caregivers. It will review the context for the faith community’s historical response to aging and a new paradigm will be offered, providing insight to why faith communities are aptly suited to be the cornerstone of transformation. Old age has been consistently associated with social isolation. The growth of the older adult demographic in the U.S. has prompted widespread conversation regarding how best to address anticipated increases in social isolation. Literature shows faith communities may play a significant role in reducing stigma and isolation. The conventional view of aging is reduced to suffering and loss, perpetuating a narrative of fear and further contributing to the growing epidemic of isolation and deep marginalization. Participation in religious and spiritual practices aids older adults in maintaining meaningful social connection. Theology provides an alternative narrative about aging and dementia, shifting from the biomedical paradigm of limitation to a narrative of inclusive community and empowerment. Faith community engagement in this transformational work may serve as the framework and model for broader community inclusion of PLWD and their caregivers.","PeriodicalId":44539,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Religion Spirituality & Aging","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85302293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The storied self & before belief: A review","authors":"Jennifer Hollenberger","doi":"10.1080/15528030.2021.1871993","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15528030.2021.1871993","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT This is a book review of two books, The Storied Self and Beyond Belief by Bruce A. Stevens. The aim of this paper is to discuss the major themes in the text and provide a personal review to the reading from a clinical social worker’s perspective.","PeriodicalId":44539,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Religion Spirituality & Aging","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80927295","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Belief and belonging in later life: the lived experiences of coping among older Rwandans","authors":"Madleina Daehnhardt","doi":"10.1080/15528030.2021.1871992","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15528030.2021.1871992","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT This article seeks to give voice to older Rwandans and their experiences of later life. It considers the contribution beliefs make to subjective well-being and coping by analysing self-reported sources of joy and sadness over the life course. The article draws from primary interviews conducted in Kinyarwanda with older Rwandans and church leaders from different denominations. Drawing from the East African context, the analysis contributes to the growing evidence in the field of gerontology showing how important ‘coping mechanisms’ underlie religious faith and practice. The four coping mechanisms identified are: support through personal prayer and resilience, socio-spiritual capital, a sense of belonging and meaning-making, and healthy behaviours influenced by religious values. The findings have implications for African church and national bodies engaged in pastoral care, as well as community organisations working with older people.","PeriodicalId":44539,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Religion Spirituality & Aging","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83837009","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A word from the editor","authors":"J. Ellor","doi":"10.1080/15528030.2020.1859746","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15528030.2020.1859746","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44539,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Religion Spirituality & Aging","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75831142","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Calíope Pilger, S. Caldeira, R. A. Rodrigues, E. C. Carvalho, Luciana Kusumota
{"title":"Spiritual well-being, religious/spiritual coping and quality of life among the elderly undergoing hemodialysis: a correlational study","authors":"Calíope Pilger, S. Caldeira, R. A. Rodrigues, E. C. Carvalho, Luciana Kusumota","doi":"10.1080/15528030.2020.1824848","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15528030.2020.1824848","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between spiritual well-being, religiosity, and religious and spiritual coping and quality of life (QoL) among the elderly undergoing hemodialysis. A cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, using a sample of 169 elderly. Data was collected using WHOQOL-BREF; Spiritual Well-Being Scale; Duke University Religion Index; and the Brief Religious and Spiritual Coping Scale. The results of the linear regression analysis showed that higher SWB, the use of spiritual coping, and higher ORA and IR explained around 17%, 5%, 4%, and 6%, respectively, of the variation of overall QOL.","PeriodicalId":44539,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Religion Spirituality & Aging","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79988647","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A case study in group spiritual care for residents of a post-acute care facility","authors":"Veronica L. Timbers, M. Childers","doi":"10.1080/15528030.2020.1822262","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15528030.2020.1822262","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The population of the United States increasingly identifies as not religious or as spiritual but not religious. Though this cultural shift is more noticeable among younger generations, there is growing evidence that generalized spiritual care activities are needed in post-acute care facilities. This paper presents a case study of an eight-week “Spirituality and Life” discussion group that was developed to address such a gap in spiritual supports. The paper discusses the anecdotal primary and secondary gains of the group and reflects on the perceived benefits through the theoretical lenses of reminiscence therapy. Two sample formats of group discussions are provided, and suggestions are made for rigorous future studies of such groups.","PeriodicalId":44539,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Religion Spirituality & Aging","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87516423","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Woosang Hwang, Joonsik Yoon, Maria T Brown, Merril Silverstein
{"title":"Is the Relationship Between Religiosity and Filial Elder-Care Norms Declining? A Comparison Between Two Middle-Aged Generations.","authors":"Woosang Hwang, Joonsik Yoon, Maria T Brown, Merril Silverstein","doi":"10.1080/15528030.2021.1900021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15528030.2021.1900021","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We investigated whether religiosity among middle-aged adults in the Baby Boom generation and Generation-X was associated with filial elder-care norms. The sample consisted of 720 Baby Boom and 520 Gen-X respondents participating in the Longitudinal Study of Generations. A cohort-comparative model was devised using data from Baby Boomers in 1994 and Gen-Xers in 2016, when they were 42 and 40 years old, respectively. A three-step latent class modeling technique identified three religious classes in both generations: strongly religious, weakly religious, and doctrinally religious. Weakly religious Baby Boomers and Gen-Xers reported weaker filial elder-care norms than the strongly religious in each generation. No difference in these effects were detected by generation. However, only among Baby Boomers did the doctrinally religious express stronger filial norms, suggesting cross-cohort weakening in how beliefs translate into filial responsibility in the absence of congregational practice. This research opens lines of inquiry that examine long-term effects of adult children's religiosity on the actual provision of assistance to older parents when they face health difficulties.</p>","PeriodicalId":44539,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Religion Spirituality & Aging","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/15528030.2021.1900021","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39845252","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Spirituality: the Hindu perspective from a gerontologist’s viewpoint","authors":"Mehta Kalyani K.","doi":"10.1080/15528030.2020.1843590","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15528030.2020.1843590","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The article focuses on synthesising spirituality and the gerontology perspective, with Hindu concepts and the search for meaning and purpose at the micro-level. Drawing from past research, empirical studies and interviews conducted in Asian communities the author applies the concepts of “karma,” “advaita” and “consciousness.” The Hindu belief that every human being has the potential to connect with the divine is discussed. The positive effects of spiritual pursuits and spiritual care are reviewed. The paper concludes with recommendations for greater self-awareness (at individual level), and mainstreaming of spirituality into psychosocial and medical care for older people.","PeriodicalId":44539,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Religion Spirituality & Aging","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2020-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79361019","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Respite ministry fills a gap in dementia care","authors":"Daphne M. Johnston","doi":"10.1080/15528030.2020.1847237","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15528030.2020.1847237","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The Respite Ministry (RM) was founded by a Montgomery, Alabama, church to provide social and spiritual support in the community for individuals living with dementia and their family members. Though RM is led by a small staff, the majority of program hours are donated by trained volunteers. The curriculum stimulates participant cognition and self-worth through structured activities that include: exercise, group conversations, service projects, and collective worship. During these activities, participants and volunteers are melded together in a shared experience that de-emphasizes distinctions and fosters a loving spirit. This model of care has been replicated in 18 different cities.","PeriodicalId":44539,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Religion Spirituality & Aging","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2020-12-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80978305","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"What ritual teaches about life, humor and ageing. Or vice versa?","authors":"Alan Niven","doi":"10.1080/15528030.2020.1850604","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15528030.2020.1850604","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Reflective practice, based on narrative case studies, highlights the need for practitioners to observe and integrate their own lifecycle rituals and thus become more open to collaborative ritual-making. This paper reviews 40 years of texts and research that have resourced and informed ritual practice that addressed later life, ageing, life review, spiritual reminiscence and dying. The pastoral and spiritual care formation of the author owes much to patients and parishioners who joined with him in the communitas of liminal moments where ritual transforms and transcends the hierarchy of caregivers in the community of caregiving.","PeriodicalId":44539,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Religion Spirituality & Aging","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2020-12-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81448551","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}