Proceedings of the 22nd International Academic Conference, Lisbon

SPIRITUAL SUPPORT DURING THE ACTIVE AGING

ERKAN KAVAS

Abstract:

The main purpose of the study is to investigate the contribution of spiritual support in order to increase old people's life quality and help them take active roles during active aging period. In the study, data was analyzed by reviewing the litrature on what to be done to ensure old people's participation in the active ageing period and the literature about why they should be provided with spiritual support during this period. When the related literature was reviewed scanned, it was found that there have been many studies on active ageing while there are few studies on spiritual support/care during old age. The most distictive feature of this study is that this is the first study aiming at analyzing the spiritual care during active ageing. Conclusion; In order for the old to take part in the active ageing life and this participation to be continuous, there is a need to offer the old who demand spiritual support services besides providing proper accomodation, working, health, solving psychological and economical problems and establishing solidarity environment. Considering the fact that the difficulties the elderly people experience including physical, mental or health collapse and that they feel densely that they have one foot in the grave, it's an indispensible need to satisfy their mind, logic and soul. Spiritual support service is the only solution for such psychological difficultis as well as physical ones. Spiritual support services should be used and provided for the old in order to help them involved in active ageing,to take part in the active ageing process continuously so that they feel the need for an active life and stay motivated for an active life.

Keywords: Active Aging, Spiritual Support, Spiritual Care , Aging, Elderly, Spirit, Moral Values

DOI: 10.20472/IAC.2016.022.028

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