Spirituality and Aging
Considers fundamental questions about the meaning of being and how it is shaped by the experience of aging. Atchley’s major goal is to provide a conceptual and theoretical picture of spirituality as a subject in its own right, separate from, though sometimes overlapping with religion. He acknowledges that many find that their religious beliefs provide an important and maybe even exclusive context for spirituality, but discovered that as age increases so does the proportion of people who see spirituality in a broader context than formal or organised religion. He sets out to use language that will enable conversation around spiritual experiences we can share rather than religious concepts that separate us.(Counselling Today [New Zealand])This innovative essay will stimulate theory development and research.(David O. MobergPerspectives on Science and Christian Faith)Atchley’s book is an enormous, and unprecedented, contribution to the field. The book will be very important, and he’s absolutely the best person to write it.(Harry R. Moody, Director, Office of Academic Affairs, AARP)This is a wise and important work that could make a difference in the way aging persons, and gerontologists, think about spirituality and aging.(Susan H. McFadden, The University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh)Indeed, because of Atchley's extensive knowledge and experiences in spirituality and aging, this volume should serve as an excellent supplement for anyone interested in research, practice, or teaching of spirituality and aging.(Holly Nelson-BeckerCanadian Journal on Aging)Atchley is... to be greatly commended for opening our eyes to a fuller and richer view of the place of spirituality in the ageing process. That he is able to explore all of these themes with such insight and depth in this slim and accessible monograph is to his credit.Spirituality and Agingis a seminal work for the religious gerontology field and should be added to the must-read list for anyone seeking to be an informed scholar or practitioner in this field.(Jeff LevinJournal of Ageing and Society)Understanding Atchley's spiritual perspective on aging will benefit readers both inside and outside of academia.(Wilkie AuReligious Studies Review)