ABSTRACT
The “Creating Alternative Relaxing Environment (CARE) Cabinet” intervention was designed to complement existing palliative care services and addresses the spiritual and socialization needs of patients and family members in conjunction with pastoral care in an institutional setting. The portable CARE Cabinet contains a variety of materials to foster spiritual wellness (e.g., reading materials, audio [i.e., music and nature sounds], aromatherapy), and social interaction (e.g.,
[Haworth co-indexing entry note]: “Spirituality and Palliative Care: The CARE Cabinet Intervention.” Heiser, Deborah, Mark Brennan, and John Redic II. Co-published simultaneously in Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging (The Haworth Pastoral Press, an imprint of The Haworth Press, Inc.) Vol. 17, No. 1/2, 2004, pp. 131-149; and: Spiritual Assessment and Intervention with Older Adults: Current Directions and Applications (ed: Mark Brennan, and Deborah Heiser) The Haworth Pastoral Press, an imprint of The Haworth Press, Inc., 2004, pp. 131-149. Single or multiple copies of this article are available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service [1-800-HAWORTH, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (EST). E-mail address: docdelivery@haworthpress.com].
132snacks for patient and visitors, visitor meal coupons, facility contact lists). Results of this intervention have been overwhelmingly positive. In one case, the resident used the audio and aromatherapy, while his wife read the Bible, allowing each individual to pursue spiritual activities that provided the most comfort. The snacks and meal coupons encouraged other family members to visit the resident regularly, mitigating his social isolation. In other cases, conversations concerning spiritual issues between the care recipient and pastoral care providers and volunteers have been facilitated by the CARE Cabinet contents. Implications of this intervention for end-of-life care are discussed and its continued application in this and other settings is recommended. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: <docdelivery@haworthpress.com> Website: <https://www.HaworthPress.com> © 2004 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.]
