End-of-life volunteers need more support
Reaching out to the terminally ill and their families is a common practice and a high priority among most faith communities, but preparation and comfort levels for this kind of ministry can limit the care they offer.
A study by the New Hampshire Partnership for End-of-Life Care suggests more support is needed for volunteers and clergy who are attempting to reach out to the terminally ill.
"This is important work that is very difficult because of the different physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions involved," says Shawn LaFrance, project director of the Partnership. "It’s great to see so many people involved in end-of-life care, but it also tells us that we can do more to support these volunteers and clergy members in helping the terminally ill and their families."
The study is the result of a survey of more than 200 faith communities in New Hampshire. The study showed that more than 1,500 lay members of responding congregations are involved in providing spiritual support to the terminally ill, yet, clergy members report that only 7% of these individuals are "very prepared" to do so; half are somewhat prepared and 16% are not prepared.
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