Benefits of Spiritual Care in the Later Years of Life

Older adults in care center facilities are there for a variety of reasons disrupting their usual coping skills. Spiritual and religious beliefs play a major role in the lives of most older adults in the United States. About half attend religious services at least weekly–their religious participation is greater than any other age group.

The current literature affirms the benefits older adults receive as a result of their religious and spiritual involvement. A 2022 article in The Merck Manual Professional Version titled, Religion and Spirituality in Older Adults, reports that religion may provide the following benefits:

• A positive and hopeful attitude about life and illness, which can improve health outcomes and lower mortality rates


• A sense of meaning and purpose in life, which affects health behaviors as well as social and family relationships


• A greater ability to cope with illness and disability


• An increased development of community and broad social support networks (2)

The Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2016, reported: “religious/spiritual people literally live longer.” (3)

The 2019 research paper, The Effect of Religion and Spirituality on Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review, found “...a positive association between Religion/Spirituality (R/S) and cognitive function. R/S appears to be protective against cognitive decline in middle- and old-age adults.” (4)

A 2020 study, The Role of Well-Being, Spirituality, and Religiosity for Successful Aging in Late Life: A Brief Review, found the functions of religion may:

• Reduce anxiety and the risk of depression


• Contribute to positive emotions and coping mechanisms


• Provide the development of social connections and emotional support (5)

Ministry to the Aged (MTA) chaplains help enrich the lives of care center residents and their families by addressing the pastoral/spiritual needs of these residents and their families. MTA chaplains are sensitive to the pastoral/spiritual needs of residents experiencing dementia and cognitive impairment. MTA chaplains provide flexible scheduling to meet the unique needs of each care center and their residents.

“It’s the care center residents who have benefited the most [from MTA chaplains]. Nothing touches like the compassionate Word of God.”

—Care Center Director