Offering Comfort In A Hospice.

[Theland1]

To what extent should spiritual comfort be offered to patients and their relatives in hospices?
Some people of belief would welcome it, some atheists might be affronted by it.
What is the practise now, and can it be improved upon?
Any other comments on this sensitive issue are most welcome from believers and non believers alike.
Thank you.

[Clanad]

Firstly, I sincerely hope all is well with you, Theland... you've been gone a while.

Here in the U.S., when one checks into a hospital, or, as you reference, a hospice (I'm assuming the term means roughly the same thing for both our countries) there are questions on the "enrollment" forms that gently ask the patients religious preferences. Depending on the answers, the patient can be visited by an appropriate (Catholic/Protestant/Jewish, etc.) clergy. A space indicating no preference is taken to mean ambivalent or even atheist. In those cases, according to a pastor friend, the patient or the patients family is asked if they would like to be visited. That's the end of it if the answer is in the negative.
Since most of the hospitals here are sponsored or outrightly owned by one church group or another, it's a given that spiritual counseling or comfort would be available, unless declined.
Personally, I think it's of the utmost importance... even for the unbeliever,but that's my own worldview...

[Theland1]

Thank you Clanad. That's very kind. Things could be better, but hopefully improving.
I don't know about the USA, but the difference in hospital and hospice, is that the hospice is not a a place where a cure for an illness is sought, but a place where patients are treated only for pain relief and the terminal illness is allowed to take its course, to allow death with dignity, free from painful and deperate treatments. The pastoral care involves the acceptance of the inevitable.
Sadly, the wonderful work carried out by the hospices are generally funded mainly by charitable donations, instead of National Health Service funding.

[jojojojoanne]

do hospices or nhs practice euthanasia in any form?

[Theland1]

4 x j - I suppose that increasing the doses of morphine for increased pain relief will in itself bring on death in some cases, but I am no expert and somebody with a medical background might like to confirm this, but no, none have a policy of euthenasia as it is illegal, regardless of the wishes of the patient.

[naomi24]

I can't speak for all hospices, but in my experience they strike the right balance when it comes to offering spiritual comfort. Religion isn't shown to be obviously at the forefront of care - and it isn't at the forefront of care - but spiritual comfort is offered quietly, and in a low profile manner, to those who need it - and if it gives comfort to the dying, then it can only be beneficial.

Euthanasia is of course illegal - but sometimes the drugs given are a little too strong for the patient to cope with - and that's not a bad thing either.

Hospices do a marvellous job, not only for the patient, but for the families too, and I have nothing but admiration for them and for the staff who work with them - the MacMillan Nurses in particular.

[Octavius]

As Henri Matisse said, �There are always flowers for those who want to see them.�

Comfort doesn�t have to be religious and can take many forms, including compassion and spiritual counselling which doesn�t need to be specific to religion. But so long as the people know it is there should they want it, or that it won�t be thrust upon them if they don�t, then I think the balance is right.

[Quinlad]

Agreed. I'd be very surprised if an atheist was affronted by the offer of spiritiual/religious counselling. You only have to say 'No thanks.'

[Whickerman]

Hospices do marvellous work. I doubt you will find many affronted by the offer of kind words, but I think that it's the opposite to what you expect - some believers will rail at their god for allowing their loved ones feel pain on that level. Atheists will for the most part turn down your offer.

You could offer kind thoughts, and then offer to pray for them, and if that's accepted, you could always invite them to join you.

As you know, I'm not Christian; if you offered to pray for me i'd be happy to let you, and I'd be touched that you'd be so kind, but I'd decline the offer to join in.

[Theland1]

Whicks - I'm a bit out of it tonight, but your words are wise. Thank you.