what have religion and spirituality to do with aging? Three approaches

Abstract

Reviews the books, Ageing, disability and spirituality: Addressing the challenge of disability in later life by Elizabeth MacKinlay (2008); Aging in the church: How social relationships affect health by Neal M. Krause (2008); and Spirituality and aging by Robert C. Atchley (see record [rid]2009-02761-000[/rid]). The three books that are the focus of this essay are a representative sample of just how far-ranging growing interest in the relationship between religion, spirituality, and aging has become. Together they can be seen as illustrative of the widely varied approaches that are taken to the subject, though they do not at all exhaust the possibilities: Krause illustrates the effort to "quantify" through social scientific methodology and research the role that religion plays in the lives of elders; MacKinlay presents a series of essays that offer theological and ethical foundations to guide practitioners in addressing spiritual concerns among the elders they serve, particularly those with dementia and other disabilities; and Atchley examines the nature of spirituality and considers ways in which individuals can pursue the spiritual journey as they age. Despite their different approaches, all three authors already make significant contributions in this regard, both to the increasing store of knowledge about religion, spirituality, and aging and to the conversation that needs to continue if we are to make the lives of the nation's (and world's) elders as rich and fulfilling as possible. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved)