Spiritual Support
Caregiving exhausts not only the physical but it depletes the spiritual lives of many. As e
motional stress builds and physical exhaustion overwhelms a feeling of emptiness is often present. Maintaining a spiritual connection can help you as a Caregiver find purpose and meaning in the face of the difficulties in Caregiving.
Emotional and spiritual support are real needs of Caregivers that are often neglected because: the Caregiver is so preoccupied with practical details that they push aside their other needs; they feel guilty about asking for personal emotional support when their loved one may be living with distress that seems more important than their own needs; or they feel embarrassed about needing emotional support. Information about sources of emotional and spiritual support may be available, but Caregivers may be reluctant to use it.
Volunteers often fill the gap because they have time and are trained listeners, as are the staff of telephone information services. Informal caregivers may also feel reluctant to turn to chaplains for spiritual support if they do not belong to a faith community. In contrast to hospitals, most home care service teams do not include spiritual support workers.
In order to fill this gap, both informal caregivers and those who provide service can recognize that the need for emotional or spiritual support is real even if it is not directly expressed. Respectful, non-intrusive ways of offering support can be learned. Volunteers can play an important role. 