Spirituality in palliative care: what language do we need?

Spirituality can be described as a search for meaning. At the time of a significant life crisis, such as is experienced by patients in palliative care, this search can become more pertinent. Patients and their families describe times of questioning and loss of faith as well as discovery, growth and a deepening of experience to a place of inner peace. Because spirituality has an increasingly wide range of interpretations, the delivery of spiritual care can understandably be equally diverse. This article has its limitations in that it concentrates on Christianity, partly because it is a known starting place from the experience of the author and still is relevant for many patients in the West. The holistic/whole person approach to nursing care has helped to refocus on the spiritual dimension of care. However, nurses require support and guidance as to how to approach spiritual care and understand its concept, which appears resistant to language -- their basis for communication.