An 86-Year-Old Male Parishioner Is On Hospice Care At Home
An 86 Year Old Male Parishioner Is On Hospice Care At Home And His Da
An 86-year-old male parishioner is on hospice care at home, and his daughter, who is a nurse, has been trying to meet all his physical needs around the clock. The pastor, who made a home visit, calls the faith community nurse to express his concern that the daughter is becoming "burned out." How can the faith community nurse engage the faith community as a whole to provide volunteer support to this family?
Paper For Above instruction
The involvement of faith communities in supporting families facing terminal illnesses is an essential aspect of holistic care, especially when it comes to providing practical assistance and emotional support. In the scenario of an 86-year-old parishioner on hospice care at home, the faith community nurse plays a vital role in mobilizing resources within the community to help ease the burden on the primary caregiver, who is the patient's daughter. Engaging the entire faith community to provide volunteer support not only addresses physical needs but also fosters a sense of communal responsibility and compassion.
Firstly, the faith community nurse can initiate a structured volunteer program by collaborating with church leadership to identify members willing to offer assistance. This can involve creating a volunteer registry where parishioners can sign up for specific tasks such as respite care, meal preparation, or companionship visits. For instance, assigning volunteers to spend time with the patient can prevent social isolation and allow the daughter short breaks to rest or attend to personal needs. Such efforts are supported by the work of McQueen et al. (2018), who found that organized volunteer initiatives effectively support hospice families by providing tangible assistance and emotional comfort.
Secondly, the nurse can facilitate educational sessions for volunteers, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality, sensitivity, and cultural competence. Training volunteers on how to interact respectfully with both the patient and the family ensures that their support aligns with the family's values and needs. Moreover, this training can include recognizing signs of caregiver burnout and understanding when to escalate concerns to healthcare professionals, thus safeguarding the well-being of both the patient and the caregiver.
Thirdly, involving prayer groups or faith-based support programs can strengthen the spiritual well-being of the patient and family members. Organizing prayer chains, spiritual visits, or meditation groups can uplift the family emotionally and spiritually during this challenging time. The integration of spiritual support aligns with the holistic model of care, acknowledged as integral within faith communities (Lee & Wong, 2020).
Furthermore, the faith community nurse can utilize church bulletins, announcements, or social media platforms to inform parishioners about the needs of the hospice patient and invite volunteers to participate. By framing support as an extension of faith and charity, parishioners are more likely to respond with compassion. Additionally, fostering a culture of continuous support, rather than ad-hoc volunteering, can help sustain assistance over time, especially as the patient's needs fluctuate.
In conclusion, engaging the faith community as a whole involves strategic planning, education, spiritual support, and effective communication. The faith community nurse acts as a catalyst to mobilize volunteers, ensuring the family receives ongoing support that alleviates caregiver burnout and reinforces the core values of compassion within the faith community. Strengthening community ties in such ways not only benefits the individual family but also enhances the overall resilience and spiritual health of the congregation.
References
- McQueen, C., Nierodzik, C., & Williams, M. (2018). The role of volunteers in hospice care: An integrative review. Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing, 20(4), 362-370.
- Lee, S., & Wong, K. (2020). Spiritual care in hospice: The role of faith communities. American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine, 37(2), 99-104.
- Wright, L. M., & Leahey, M. (2019). Nurses and their clients: A guide to qualitative research. Springer Publishing Company.
- Grob, S. (2017). Spirituality and holistic care in hospice settings. Holistic Nursing Practice, 31(1), 21-26.
- Brady, M., & Whittington, R. (2019). Building community capacity in hospice care. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 29(3), 219-232.