I had never discussed what I wanted or what they needed. I had never made any advance directives regarding my healthcare and never created a will. During my month in the hospital, I was surprised to find how many nurses shared spiritual experiences and prayers with me. Many of them provided me with words of encouragement and scripture. Maybe nurses are the buffer and feel they have a responsibility to address more situations that are spiritual.
Hospice care is the best example of attending to a patient's entire being.
It tends to the psychosocial and spiritual needs and provides support services for the patient's family. However, hospice care is only offered to the terminally ill. Dr. Bartlow explained that the term disease really is DIS-ease, an uneasiness in our soul. The National Hospice Care Organization provides consumer brochures with lots of helpful information. Ask your physician and local religious leader about whether he or she is comfortable discussing spirituality and medical care and pursue a conversation.