Shea G
Health Prog. 1986 Jun;67(5):36-7, 68.
As hospitals increasingly operate nursing homes, retirement centers, and home health agencies, pastoral personnel will be challenged to demonstrate to hospital planners the importance of providing pastoral care for the elderly clients of these services. Older persons have significant needs that cannot be met by psychotherapy, social work, or other disciplines. The "young old," for example, are typically in early retirement and often feel useless and without dignity. The "middle old" are in transition between independence and dependence, health and chronic illness, and it is the thought of dying that most haunts them. The major concerns of the "frail old" are suffering and the provident care of God, particularly in the face of crippling or catastrophic illness. Through the process of life review and active listening, pastoral care specialists can help elderly persons find the inner power that produces hope and character. Departmental restructuring may be necessary, however, to meet the increased demand as the hospital moves into geriatric life care. Local church personnel could be used as well to provide hands-on service. Pastoral care departments should be alert to plans for hospital expansion and develop creative, long-range strategies for providing care.
随着医院越来越多地经营养老院、退休中心和家庭健康机构，牧师人员将面临挑战，需要向医院规划者证明为这些服务的老年客户提供牧师关怀的重要性。老年人有一些重要需求，心理治疗、社会工作或其他学科无法满足。例如，“年轻老人”通常刚退休不久，常常觉得自己无用且没有尊严。“中年老人”正处于独立与依赖、健康与慢性病之间的过渡阶段，而对死亡的恐惧最令他们困扰。“体弱老人”主要关心的是痛苦以及上帝的眷顾，尤其是面对致残或灾难性疾病时。通过生命回顾和积极倾听的过程，牧师关怀专家可以帮助老年人找到产生希望和品格的内在力量。然而，随着医院进入老年生活护理领域，可能需要进行部门重组以满足不断增加的需求。也可以利用当地教会人员提供实际服务。牧师关怀部门应留意医院的扩张计划，并制定富有创意的长期关怀策略。
