Three-dimensional spiritual care for people living with dementia

Although it can be difficult to define Spiritual Care, we generally have a fairly good idea of what good spiritual care looks like. Whether delivered by a ‘professional’ (such as a Pastor, Chaplain, Nurse or Counsellor) or by a volunteer or family member, we expect it to include a number of elements. We expect the carer to listen attentively to the wishes, desires, stories and struggles of the person they are encountering; to participate with them in the search for meaning in their situation, and to leave them feeling happier or more reconciled to their situation. As summarised in a recent large-scale Danish study of healthcare professionals, it recognises the importance of the person’s spirituality and seeks to work with their beliefs and spiritual history to secure the best outcomes for them: “using dialogue to explore their thoughts, feelings and outlook on life; and assisting patients in finding meaning and purpose in the things they value, and, if possible, gaining inner peace and well-being” (Hvidt et al., 2020, 5).