Exploring Hope in Spiritual Care

Book excerpt: Hope is a central topic in spiritual care. This short book explores what hope can mean for patients who are at the end of life, beyond hoping that a treatment will be effective. It suggests ways in which creative spiritual care can enable patients and those who care for them to develop different kinds of hope and move past despair. The author identifies four dimensions of hope and suggests ways in they can be nurtured and cultivated through theological reflection, connectivity, meditation and the arts. These dimensions of hope provide a framework for thorough spiritual assessment and for the development of a plan of care. In turn, being prepared for death removes feelings of hopelessness and despair. This book will inspire new ways to feed the human spirit when a cure is no longer an option.