Spiritual Care: A Guide for Caregivers

by Judith Allen Shelly

Overview

What did I do to deserve cancer?I don't understand it, but I can't seem to pray anymore. Why does God seem so far away?The idea of dying scares me. How can I cope?What do you say to a person in crisis? When illness or tragedy strikes, you may find yourself caring for a family member, friend or neighbor who asks you for answers to some of life's ultimate questions. How can you meet these deep spiritual needs? This personal and practical book deals with the difficult issues and sensitive situations that caregivers often confront. Judy Shelly explains how to offer spiritual support to those facing suffering, illness or other crises.Shelly considers a variety of suggestions caregivers can put into action, including Christian community, compassionate presence, prayer, Scripture, books, touch and music. In addition, she explains and evaluates alternative therapies that have become popular in the health care and counseling fields. And finally, she reminds caregivers of the need to care for themselves, offering suggestions for finding rest, advice and encouragement.Spiritual Care: A Guide for Caregivers is a classic resource book that is now completely rewritten for all caregivers (not just medical professionals and pastors). Here is the guide that will help you meet the spiritual needs of those you love with grace, skill and genuine hope.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780830822522
Publisher:	InterVarsity Press
Publication date:	02/25/2000
Pages:	180
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Judith Allen Shelly (BSN, DMin) previously served as publications director for Nurses Christian Fellowship, director of NCF Press, and editor of the Journal of Christian Nursing. She is also the author of Spiritual Care: A Guide for Caregivers and the coauthor of Values in Conflict.

Table of Contents

Preface

Part 1: What Is Spiritual Care?
1. Spirituality Health
2. Assessing Spiritual Needs
3. Breaking the Spiritual Care Barrier

Part 2: Doing Spiritual Care
4. The Worshiping Community
5. Compassionate Presence
6. Prayer
7. The Bible
8. The Power of Touch

Part 3: Caring for the Caregiver
9. The Family Caregiver
10. Caring for Yourself
11. Developing a Spiritual Care Team

Notes

Further Reading

Resources

Editorial Reviews

"Not written strictly for healthcare professionals, but for anyone involved in reaching out as Christiancaregivers to family members, friends or neighbors. Shelly, editor of the Journal of Christian Nursing, takes a compassionate approach to caring for the whole person. This approach also enables the caregiver to share the burden of responsibility by developing a spiritual care team to aid thepatient. In today's society, people are more open to spirituality than they have been in the past, so the author urges the reader not to hesitate in sharing the faith and love that will help the afflicted through thetrials of illness. Home healthcare workers, pastors and church lay visitors, as well as family caregivers, would benefit from reading this book."

Christian Retailing

"Shelly explores spirituality's significance in physical caregiving. She discusses what spiritual care is, how to do it, and how to care for the caregiver. As both a nurse and a doctor, Shelly is in a unique position to discuss this subject. Illustrations, exercises, and charts pepper the material. Recommend this book for people dealing with long-term, difficult caregiving in the home, church body, health-care facilities, or community."

CBA Marketplace

"Not written strictly for healthcare professionals, but for anyone involved in reaching out as Christian caregivers to family members, friends or neighbors. Shelly, editor of the Journal of Christian Nursing, takes a compassionate approach to caring for the whole person. This approach also enables the caregiver to share the burden of responsibility by developing a spiritual care team to aid the patient. In today's society, people are more open to spirituality than they have been in the past, so the author urges the reader not to hesitate in sharing the faith and love that will help the afflicted through the trials of illness. Home healthcare workers, pastors and church lay visitors, as well as family caregivers, would benefit from reading this book."

--Christian Retailing, Feb. 18, 2000

"Shelly explores spirituality's significance in physical caregiving. She discusses what spiritual care is, how to do it, and how to care for the caregiver. As both a nurse and a doctor, Shelly is in a unique position to discuss this subject. Illustrations, exercises, and charts pepper the material. Recommend this book for people dealing with long-term, difficult caregiving in the home, church body, health-care facilities, or community."

--CBA Marketplace, March 2000

From the Publisher