The Effect of Religious Spiritual Education and Care on the Quality of Life among the Elderly: A Narrative Review

Abstract

This segment explores spirituality in elderly care, emphasizing its significance and challenges. It highlights Cicely Saunders' pioneering holistic approach integrating spirituality into patient care, especially in palliative settings. The lack of universally defined research concepts and cultural diversities impeding the understanding of spiritual care practices in elderly care environments is emphasized. It underscores how contemporary secular societies redefine spirituality from traditional religious institutions, yet its importance in addressing existential questions remains intact. We outline the study's methodology evaluating spirituality's impact on elderly quality of life in Iran. It details the systematic review and meta-analysis used to synthesize findings from relevant studies, assessing the influence of religious-spiritual education, notably theotherapy, on quality of life. Factors affecting intervention efficacy, such as cultural norms, are discussed. The study showed the positive outcomes post-intervention, indicating improvements in various life quality dimensions. The potential of theotherapy is noted, acknowledging cultural influences on effectiveness. Insights into spirituality's role in emotional stability, leadership, and organizational practices within Malaysian contexts, particularly amidst Industry 4.0, are presented. The need for comprehensive caregiver education and incorporating culturally aligned religious-spiritual education for the elderly's well-being is underscored. Additionally, the significance of emotional stability and effective organizational practices in Malaysia's evolving socio-economic context for quality care among elderly is emphasized. This conclusion stresses the holistic approach necessary for optimized elderly care and organizational success.