Faith Based Perspectives- Patients & Families
Under the stressful conditions of end-of-life care, the patient’s and family’s concerns about religious, spiritual and existential matters are very important. A person’s religious and spiritual perspectives can have a great influence on his or her personal choices for end-of-life care. Having a greater understanding of how religious beliefs affect our approach to how we make choices is essential in the end-of-life care planning process.
The Community-Wide End-of-Life/Palliative Care Initiative launched the Advance Care Planning campaign in September 2002 with a press conference in Rochester at which time ten church leaders from multiple faiths and cultures signed their own Advance Directives at a public ceremony. Among the spiritual leaders present at the signing were Bishop Matthew Clark (Roman Catholic Diocese) Bishop Jack McKelvey (Episcopal Diocese) Dr. Muhammad Shafiq (Imam of the Islamic Center of Rochester) and Rabbi Laurence Kotok (Temple B’rith Kodesh). Their comments pertaining to end-of-life care are included.
Information about faith perspectives is included to assist community members with the clarification of their wishes.
- Press Conference with Spiritual Leaders
- Ethics & Medics: "Responses to Certain Questions of the USCCB Concerning Artificial Nutrition and Hydration" (2007, pdf) – A Commentary of the National Catholic Bioethics Center on Health Care and the Life Science addresses three separate questions. Each question and answer concerns artifical nutrition and hydration, and pertains only to patients in a vegatative state.
Education Curriculum
- Who Writes Our final Chapter? Spirituality and Eldercare (2005, pdf) – Presented at Spirituality and Eldercare Conference co-sponsored by The Network in Aging of Western New York and Niagara Caregivers Network
- Final Reflection: Use Your Heart As Well as Your Head (2005, pdf)
- Who Writes Our Final Chapter: Embracing Spirituality and Preserving Personhood (2006, pdf) – Presented at the Making Life Easier Conference, collaborative effort of Catskill Hospice and local Alzheimer’s Association
