Kontakt 2008, 10(1):172-177 | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2008.024

Importance of religiosity and spirituality in old ageHealth and Social Sciences

Zuzana Knoflíčková

Jihočeská univerzita v Českých Budějovicích, Zdravotně sociální fakulta, katedra klinických oborů

The spiritual dimension is of principal importance for man. It is a support, which is not lost, even if certain external possibilities are removed from the life. It is a part of the human existence and it is a potential, which can be developed and also altered in the course of the human life in different ways. It can be helpful in searching for the meaning of the life and it makes possible structuring of particular life stages.
In old age, when many life values are lost, the condition of the God existence is of importance since it provides an anchorage, which is not associated with the time of the physical life only. The belief in God provides elderly people with directions how to manage different types of burden and is for them a support and framework for the interpretation of the meaning of their life experience and basis for their self-evaluation. It can also contribute to a balanced standpoint concerning their own old age and associated problems. In the old age, the need of spiritual tendencies frequently increases. This occurs depending on restriction of different competences, such as reaction to many burdens and losses and also in connection with the anticipation of the death. The belief in God, i. e. spiritual values, which are permanent and exceed the physical life, as well as church communities, to which they belong, are of importance for elderly people. The participation in a divine service as well as private prayer makes possible general relaxation and feeling of alleviation. Whereas religiosity is usually considered identical with the institution and organized religious life, spirituality is a superior concept, since it includes all the people, who practise their spiritual experience and needs in their own system of the religion concept. Even many persons considering themselves at atheistic can consider thoughts concerning the life after the death and existence of the soul. They have their own belief in God in the form of a subjective personal religion or general philosophy of life. However, particularly in health and social facilities, it is not easy to advance and satisfy spiritual needs of patient and clients, also due to the fact, that these needs were re-considered since 1989 only and also with a certain distrust.

Keywords: religiosity; spirituality; belief in God; old age

Received: March 14, 2008; Accepted: April 25, 2008; Prepublished online: June 27, 2008; Published: July 27, 2008  Show citation