Evaluation of the Spiritual Needs

SPIRITUAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT
Student:
Professor:
Course title:
Date:

Summary
This paper is aimed at completing an evaluation of a selected individual that will be utilized in the determination of his spiritual needs. Religion and spirituality are terms, which are in most cases used interchangeably. However, these terms do not in reality have the similar meaning. One can be religious without necessarily being spiritual and vice versa. The Webster dictionary defines religion as the service and worship to God. Religion can also be regarded as a devotion or commitment to a religious observance and faith, institutionalized or personal set of attitudes, practices and beliefs (Nouwen, 2011). Spirituality can as well be defined as the state of being concerned with matters relating to religion, the state or quality of being spiritual. It is a person’s inner belief system. It assists an individual in searching for a purpose and meaning of life. Further, it assists individuals in experiencing love, hope, comfort, inner peace, support, and comfort. Religion is generally a belief, which a person adheres to. It involves specific practices and rituals, the externals of humanity’s belief system (Levin, 2010).
Griggin et al (2009), notes that for patients to experience more effective healing, health care professionals who are dealing with their conditions must be concerned on their spiritual needs as well. This is because religion and spirituality do have an impact on the health and wellness of people. The patient who was a Christian by faith had a high regard to spirituality. He had a belief that God maintained and sustained his health. This patient also affirmed that health care practitioners should respect the religious inclinations of patients irrespective of whether they contradicted with their own faith. According to the Joint Commission (2005), the dimensions of spirituality and religion do affect the lives of many individuals (Joint Commission, 2005). This paper is an evaluation of a patient in Texas.
Discussion
My assessment was on a person identified as Mr. Vincent who is aged 65 years. Mr Vincent is a catholic by denomination explains that he is a staunch believer in Christianity. He explains that in this world, he is only a visitor and that Jesus Christ is preparing a permanent home in heaven. Reading from the book of John 14: 1, he explains that we should not let our hearts be troubled, rather, we should belief, and trust in God, and submit everything to Him. He went on to disclose that his spiritual wellness was maintained by constant prayer, bible reading, Holy Communion, fasting, and attending church meetings and services. He also gave a vivid explanation that his faith in Jesus Christ was the motivation, and basis for his life. Jesus Christ, who is also God the son died, and arose from dead on the third day in order to redeem him. This same Jesus is going back for a second time to take his Faithfull to where he was. This is where his basic belief lied. Many people tend to be sad when they are sick, but interestingly, Mr Vincent seemed to be happy even though he is in a serious condition. His belief is that God sends all sicknesses, and they are meant to make him come closer to God. This...