Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Pastoral visitation to the institutionalized aged: Delivering more than a lick and a promise

  • Articles
  • Published:
Pastoral Psychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A representative nationwide survey of elderly in nursing home facilities was conducted by the Lutheran Council U.S.A. Visitation by family ministers and facility chaplains, a major study focus, was characterized by the elderly as not meeting their needs in terms of frequency and time available with clergy. Time constraints of the clergy are communicated to the elderly, who are understanding but nevertheless felt shortchanged. The elderly without visits from relatives or significant others are particularly vulnerable. Dominant themes within pastoral care visitation are highlighted.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. T.L. Brink, “Pastoral Care for the Aged: A Practical Guide,”Journal of Pastoral Care, 31 (December 1977), pp. 268–72.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Steven Ford, “The Social Process of Aging: Its Implications for Pastoral Ministry,”Pastoral Psychology, 29 (Spring 1981), pp. 203–15.

    Google Scholar 

  3. George Fitchett, “Sometimes It Is Better To Receive: Ministry in a Long-Term Care Facility,”Pastoral Psychology 25 (Winter 1976), pp. 138–44.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Richard Hubbard, “Pastoral Care in the Nursing Home: Guidelines for Communication with Institutionalized Elderly,”Journal of Pastoral Care 31 (December 1977), pp. 239–41.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Carl Nighswonger, “Ministry to the Dying as a Learning Encounter,”Journal of Pastoral Care 26 (June 1972), pp. 86–92.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Robert Reeves, “Professionalism and Compassion in the Care of the Dying,”Pastoral Psychology 22 (November 1971), pp. 7–14.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Aging and the Older Adult, Staff Paper of the Department for Church and Society, Division for Mission in North America, Ninth Biennial Convention of the Lutheran Church in America, 1978.

  8. Herr and Weakland,Counseling Elders and Their Families (New York: Springer, Publishing Company, 1979).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mental Health Services of Roanoke Valley (Virginia), USA

    Jerry Uhlman Ph.D. & Paul D. Steinke (M.Div.)

Authors
  1. Jerry Uhlman Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Paul D. Steinke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Dr. Uhlman is Director of Research and Evaluation and Reverend Steinke is Director of the Clinical Pastoral Education Program with Mental Health Services of the Roanoke Valley, 920 South Jefferson Street, Roanoke, Virginia 24016. The authors wish to acknowledge the Aid Association for the Lutheran Insurance Company and Concordia Teachers College (River Forest, Illinois), which assisted with financial costs and data analysis. Special recognition and appreciation should be noted for the elderly respondents whose participation made our experience both rewarding and enlightening.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Uhlman, J., Steinke, P.D. Pastoral visitation to the institutionalized aged: Delivering more than a lick and a promise. Pastoral Psychol 32, 231–238 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01046316

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01046316

Keywords

Search

Navigation