Keeping the Spirit: Dementia and Spiritual Care

Brooke Chaney, OTS Leanna Lubinski, OTS Savanna Major, OTS Nicole ODonnell, OTS, CTRS Sharon Novalis, PhD, OTR/L

Purpose To explore OTs role in treating individuals with dementia with the use of spirituality within clinical practice

Background Clinical Relevance

Spirituality: The aspect of humanity Healthy People 2020 contains an area
that refers to the way individuals seek and entitled Health-Related Quality of Life
express meaning and purpose and the way and Well-Being (Healthy People, 2017).
they experience their connectedness to Incorporation of spirituality into OT
the moment, to self, to others, to nature, treatments has the ability to improve
and to the significant or sacred (American quality of life and well-being (Bursell &
Occupational Therapy Association, 2014). Mayers, 2010; Dalby, Sperlinger, & Boddington, 2011).

Dementia: ...A decline in mental ability The Occupational Therapy Practice

severe enough to interfere with daily life
(Alzheimers Association, 2016).
Approximately 9 million people in the
United States live with some type of
dementia (Alzheimers Association, 2016).
Literature Review
Spirituality is a client factor in which
OTs continue to struggle to implement in
daily practice (Bursell & Mayers, 2010; Morris,
2013; Morris et al., 2014).
Evidence indicates that current
practitioners report uncertainty when
defining the term spirituality or
implementing it into dementia care (Bursell
& Mayers, 2010; Morris, 2013).
Therapists are seeking assessments to
determine an individuals spiritual needs 73% of participants suggested they could
(Bursell & Mayers, 2010; Morris, 2013; Morris et al.,
2014).
Changes in practice may occur by
addressing spirituality in OT
curricula. This may enhance awareness
and understanding of what spirituality is,
along with how to address this client need
(Bursell & Mayers, 2010; Morris, 2013; Morris et al.,
2014).
spirituality within OTs domain (AOTA,
(AOTA, 2017), OTs can meet this
Survey Summary
60% of participants specified they do not
assess spirituality with clients with
dementia. However, 51% of these
participants felt comfortable with
addressing spirituality.
Participants post-2002 graduation felt less
comfortable addressing spirituality even
though this group was found to be more
likely to have spirituality addressed in OT
curricula.
2013; Morris et al., 2014)
benefit from a spirituality continuing
education course.
Practitioners indicated various means of
addressing spirituality including the
Lifestyle Performance Model, client-
centered interventions, conversations, the
use of therapeutic groups, and occupational
profiles.
Framework (OTPF) incorporates
spirituality as a client factor, placing
2014). As part of the Centennial Vision
populations occupational needs by
providing a client-centered, spiritual
approach.
Future Research
Further investigation of OTs
perspectives when developing spiritual
assessments for clients with dementia
(Bursell & Mayers, 2010; Morris, 2013; Morris et al.,
2014)
Continued exploration of the therapeutic
relationship between spirituality and
individuals with dementia (Bursell & Mayers,
2010; Dalby, Sperlinger, & Boddington, 2011; Morris,
Further examination of the impact formal
education and continuing education
courses have on an OTs understanding
and use of spirituality within clinical
practice (Bursell & Mayers, 2010; Morris, 2013;
Morris et al., 2014)