Late fall is again upon us, as nature prepares for a winter slumber, and November – harking back to the medieval European traditions – is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month.

While originally hospice was a place to rest for any weary and homeless traveler, one of the aspects of modern hospice care is spiritual care. This is provided by a trained hospice chaplain, or client-chosen personal spiritual/religious care provider.  

As hospice is a secular organization, spirituality is defined by a common language, not associated with a particular religious tradition. This is spelled out in “Hospice Spiritual Care” by Randall R. Ross, a material used as a part of training of hospice chaplains.

Ross notes that issues related to spirituality decisively weigh on our quality of life, not only at the time of approaching death, but throughout our life span. Regardless of our personal religious associations, he says, spiritual care affords the opportunity to reflect on personal beliefs, relationships, and life choices, to “identify and alleviate sources of suffering, and to offer guidance in the search for meaning, comfort, strength, and hope.”

Generally, spiritual distress can be defined as a result of avoidance, or wanting something different than what’s being experienced – evidenced by adverse behaviors and emotional states.

We experience spiritual distress to the degree we are resistant to unavoidable changes, and express “wishful thinking” for what we miss in our lives. We feel distress while grappling with control and autonomy, safety and security, acceptance and connection, and issues of judgment and forgiveness. Conversely, spiritual well-being is defined as exhibiting little or no sign of emotional distress, an ability to quickly resolve problems, and a willingness to maintain or enhance feelings of connectedness, acceptance, peace and love.

The saying that one can not avoid pain but suffering is a choice suggests that even physical pain becomes bearable with a strong spiritual foundation and skills. There are many sources providing guidelines and support in our efforts to heal – including both religious and more or less secular sources. The “Hospice Spiritual Care” guidelines offer a wonderful model to be considered through the years preceding  the unavoidable end of life as we know it. 

Yolanda Rommel

Canyon City