Читать книгу Pathy's Principles and Practice of Geriatric Medicine - Группа авторов - Страница 107

Religion and spirituality play an important role in preserving the psychological and physical health of older people. For example, Koenig, et al. reported that for medical inpatients, religiosity correlated with a lower likelihood of feeling downhearted or experiencing boredom, loss of interest, restlessness, or hopelessness.²¹ Brown and Gary found that fewer depressive symptoms were associated with religious involvement in a group of urban African‐American males.²² In Israel, religious orthodoxy was found to be protective against death from coronary heart disease, independent of lifestyle correlates. In patients with lung cancer, prayer was, in part, responsible for psychological well‐being.²³ However, religion can also be associated with negative health outcomes. Fear or guilt attributed to religion, or interpersonal stressors resulting from failure to conform with a religious community, can lead to negative health outcomes, including weakened immune response, increased depressive symptoms, and increased mortality.²⁴ Additionally, patients occasionally eschew standard medical care in favour of faith‐based healing techniques.

The most parsimonious model for describing the role of religion and spirituality on health is to assume that it increases coping skills and enhances access to community and support structures. Healthcare professionals should be aware of their patients' religious and spiritual beliefs and be prepared to incorporate them into a holistic model of healthcare. Prayer is a commonly used coping strategy for many older people dealing with disability or life‐threatening illnesses. The involvement of a person's religious leader as part of the team approach to healthcare is essential, particularly in times of health crises and advanced care planning.