INTRODUCTION A role of the parish nurse Facilitator of faith and health integration More understanding of this integration in the frail elderly is needed

PURPOSE Describe the pattern of faith/health integration of frail elders affiliated with a Christian congregation Qualitative design Taped interviews METHOD

1. Boykin & Schoenhofer THEORY

QUESTIONS Faith’s influence on health Health’s influence on faith Church’s role in facilitating integration of faith and health Perceived relationships…

MODEL Review of church affiliation Integrity of self Review of functional abilities Intentional Life-review

Go to nursing.bethel.edu Click on Faith Health Integration

SAMPLE (n=10) Gender 8 females 2 males Age Range: 74 to 97 Mean: 86 Church Affiliation Roman Catholic & Protestant

FINDINGS Faith and doubt may co-exist Isolation from the church and its staff is experienced

FINDINGS Compare themselves to other seniors. Need for meaning, purpose and giving Speak of limitations instead of diagnoses

CONCLUSIONS Integration of faith and health is facilitated by: Intentional life review (established patterns of meaning, purpose, roles, and responsibilities) Review of functional abilities (assets and challenges to health) Review of church affiliation (affirmation of self as valued by God and others) Faith and health integration contributes to integrity of the self