John W. Walton is the author of the book “Compassionate
Care: An Inspirational Guide for Caregivers of the Seriously Ill”. The preface
describes the struggles Walton experienced attending patients that are
physically and spiritually ill. His experiences and love for the flawed
emotional and physical influenced him to pursue chaplaincy. In reassurance
through his graduate studies, experiences, and medical facilities visitations,
and the writings of Saint Francis de Sales, he has written the book to help
others who experience fear and anxiety in caring for the patients that are
seriously sick or dying. The material aims to prepare people to help the
spiritually needy, and strengthen their faith. The experiences of the various
chapters show that death is not a tragic event as perceived by many
individuals. Therefore, the introduction persuades the audience to take the
task of caring for the physical and spiritual needs as their purpose on earth and
they would soon realize it is satisfying as any other job.
Chapter 1 Why did I Write this Book?
The author expresses why he was motivated to write the
book. The book is a source of information that will help people attend the
physical and spiritual needs of the seriously ill. Walton states that he “had a
hard time finding useful information from chaplains that had been ‘in the
trenches” (Walton 20). He had visited many doctors and families of people
suffering from serious illness and death and realized the need for comfort.
Like most people, Walton was afraid of the hospital because he had invalid
pictures of disgust diseases and death. He was inspired by the Holy Bible to do
good to others because of service to others s service to God (Walton 21). Walton
developed the desire to care for seriously ill patients after his sister’s
experience with cancer. She cared for her as well as other patients suffering
from life-threatening illnesses. He came to realize that they were unreasonable
pressures that keep individuals from realizing the physical and spiritual
deprivation of the people suffering from serious illnesses (Walton 23).
Chapter 2 Examine Your Motives
The chapter defines different spiritual care providers
and affirms that every individual can provide care comfortably. Spiritual in a
hospice setting refers to the section of the invisible human, often called mind
or soul. The spiritual part control individuals’ thinking, motivations, moods,
desires, opinions, and memory. Human beings have different motives that
influence the way they do things (p. 28). For instance, a person may be
motivated by self-value to study the needs of patients to perform the job
effectively. On another hand, the motive of compassionate care provides is to
improve the wellbeing of the patients. Whatever the motive, whether right or
wrong, spiritual care providers (SCPs) learn, grow, make friends, and become
part of a team that improves specific skills that are necessary for the field.
Beginners of SCP need to understand that training does not equip them better
than goodliness to work in the lives of the needy. Beginners should also learn
and understand the roles of caregivers and the rights of patients (P. 35).
Walton warns that SCPs should not try to change the way the facilities run
their activities no matter their level of experience. Moreover, at the end of
the chapter, he offers advice on the expectations of individuals willing to
join the SCP team. For instance listen attentively to the patients, family, and
friends’ concerns while observation the HIPPA rights. Inform the doctors and
nurses about the concerns of the patients to improve their mode of treatment.
Chapter 3 Emotions, Suffering, and Sympathy
Chapter deliberates patient emotions that are often
encountered and strategies that SCPs use to help patients manage them. Emotions
that develop from the on-set on illness are more disastrous than the disease.
Walton demonstrates how SCP helps patients manage their illnesses with a case
study of Elsie. She was diagnosed with diabetes and cried for two days and
accepted her condition after witnessing many individuals with the same
condition, but they lived normally and engaged in activities such as athletics
(p. 56). According to Walton, fear is one of the most debilitating emotions in
hospitals (p. 59). It is often overstated and irrational because it limits the
ability to reason logically. To relieve fear the SCPS should pray for the
patients’ conditions, and use encouraging words from the Bible. Some of the
scriptures Walton used included Psalms 91, 2nd Corinthians 12:9, Psalms 23,
Hebrews 13:6, and Luke 8:50 (p. 62). The Holy verses from the Bible provide
greater comfort than any psychology and philosophy advice.
There are various hard questions SCPs are asked for
example “Why does God allow sickness or death?”, and “What did I do to deserve
this?” To a believer, Walton uses the scriptures, such as Luke 13:4 to answer
the questions. However, he lacks the right answers that satisfied the ailing
client. When dealing with people who are suffering, SCPS also suffers from them
because they have no power to control their condition. The best approach is to
listen sympathetically, say kind-hearted words, and offer compassionate
prayers.
Chapter 4: How am I doing anyhow?
The SCPs should keep charts and notes for references when
discussing the condition of the patient. Narrative notes explain everything
that occurred with the patient during the visitation. Notes are simple to
follow and the caregiver can provide a short presentation of the patient’s
progress in a meeting (p. 73). Charting and noting help the SCPs learn and
remember to notice the expression of the patient and body language.
Journaling is also a crucial method of keeping
information about the beliefs, opinions, and progress of the patient. It proves
to the supervisors that the SCPs are not only caring but also alert (p. 73).
Journals also help SCPs remember the last discussions when rehabilitating long-term
patients.
Chapter 5 Grief
The chapter deliberates the instant occurrence of grief
and ways through which SCPs may help the victims. According to Benjamin
Disraeli, the best way to heal from grief is to take action. An individual’s
attitude and esteem pray a significant role in the process of healing from
grief because the primary role depends on the actions of the victim (P. 76).
Dealing with feelings of the grieving person is the most difficult task as they
demonstrate anger, avoidance, denial, fear, and depression. The SCPs should
help the grieving people to accept the reactions and feelings of grief, such as
shock, anger, panic, fear, and denial. The SCP should also ensure that the
victim attends a burial that follows their religious traditions to help them
accept the reality of death. Listen to the victim attentively and respond to
the hard questions they ask for their loss.
Chapter 6 The Physical Caregiver’s Role
The chapter shows the significant role of physical
caregivers on the journey of long-term illness from the diagnosis to death. The
chapter offers detailed information on the challenges encountered by physical
caregivers. It also helps both the physical caregiver and SCP to understand the
needs and preferences of the patient (P. 95). Dying patients experience a hard
time and may take longer before accepting that they would die soon. Walton
explains the case of his grandmother and the awkward moment they share before
she accepts that she would die in a few days. Any dying person exercises full
control of all activities around and makes small matters appear huge and
significant. They behave in this manner because they are resistant to give up
control, which they have had for all their life (p. 98). Some of the statements
that show dying people want to retain control include “I am not dead yet. Do
not treat me as I have no value” (p. 98). The challenges the SCP include
rebellious patients who refuse to accept that they would die and hold on to
unreasonable hope.
Chapter 7 Who are the Victims of Life?
In most cases, patients focus on their suffering and
forget that of friends and families. The family members may be experiencing
more difficulties than the patients because they have to attend their daily
duties and attend the patient in the hospital. Moreover, they have to cater to
hospital expenses that are at times expensive, for instance, cancer treatment.
Although the role of the patients is to get well, their wellbeing improves
faster when they know that someone is taking care of other essential activities
at home. At this point, the SCP should encourage the family that god is
accessible through prayer and ready to comfort them (p. 107). The SCPs should
help the family to overcome the blame game by telling them similar experiences
or using Biblical scriptures, such as John chapter nine and Luke chapter 13.
The SCP should not forget that his role is to provide spiritual care to the
distressed family. Therefore, they should handy and comforting when answering
the “why” questions (p. 111).
Chapter 8 Regarding Life-Changing Illness or Injury
Dealing with life-threatening disease or injury requires
the personnel involved to have the psychological understanding to succeed in
healing the seriously ill patients. The chapter describes the emotions, realities,
hope, chaplain visits, and patient’s struggle with serious illness. The author
included parables, poetry, illustrations, and metaphors among others that
influence the caretaker’s (spiritual and physical) behaviors. These principles
are significant to those who want to be a spiritual caregiver because they will
learn how to apply them effectively (p. 113).
He uses the experiences of Michael A. Guido to explain
how human spirits overcome life obstacles with god’s power. Guido advises when
people face problems, whether big or small, they should call upon God, and “he
will make everything work together for good” (p. 115).
Chapter 9 What is Left when the Hope of a Cure is Gone?
Patients feel that there is nothing left after they are
diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. However, Walton demonstrates that a
lot of there is still hope and opportunities because God and His promises do
not change with change in the victim’s health. Atheists or the agnostic refuse
to accept the existence of hope, and the SCPs should help them realize and take
the views. The author uses metaphors, parables, and illustrative stories to
give inspiration and equip the people who want to work as SCP in hospitals.
Love and care are the most essential values of an SCP
because the patients need to feel that someone understands their pain. Every
individual is afraid of death, but relief is achieved when a dying person is
assured of heaven where there will be no pain or suffering. Although the SCPs
comfort the dying patient, their success depends on the faith of the victim.
Chapter 10 Caring for you, the SCP
One of the major principles of chaplaincy is self-care
because individuals cannot share what they do not have. A spiritual care
provider must retain some resources to help dying patients or those suffering
from lifetime illnesses. Ephesians 2:10 says “for we are god’s workmanship,
created in Jesus Christ to do good works” (p. 159). However, SCP should not be
careless when doing good work as this may lead to a breakdown. There is a need
to take regular breaks to relax and recuperate after dealing with complex
cases. In chapter 10, Walton exposes the reader to the harmful emotions,
hazardous fatigue, and burn out SCPs may experience when they fail to take care
of their schedules. Human beings become tired and exhausted due to the
increased demand for spiritual care in hospitals, and nursing homes. In genesis
2:2 God also worked for six days and rested on the seventh day and was
refreshed (p. 161).
Walton states that burnout is associated with physical
and psychological destructive effects. He witnessed that burnout manifests
similarly in pastors, doctors, nurses, business associates, and chaplains.
However, human beings do not want to demonstrate signs of weakness to retain
their positions. Most physical and spiritual caregivers experience burnout, but
avoidance or denial worsens the problem (p. 163). SCP should seek help from
other experienced people in the counseling field to overcome burnout and
anxiety. SCP should get enough sleep and work smarter by concentrating on the
strategies that will comfort the dying person to save time.
Chapter 11 Self-evaluation
Spiritual care providers are volunteers hence, little or
no preformation evaluation is conducted on their work. The chapter discusses
ways in which SCPs may conduct self-evaluation. Walton provides five questions
on self-evaluation that help the SCPs find issues that may be affecting their
performance (p. 169). The first question is “what am I doing, and how do I feel
about it?” “should I be doing something differently?”, then, “do I keep call
records?”, “I am growing in my skill, faith, knowledge, preparation, and
confidence?” Do I utilize available resources to the maximum? (P. 169).
Chapter 12 Understanding Death
The main role of the SCPs operates under a program known
as “No One Dies Alone” because they help dying patients on their journey to
heaven. The program is also called “Eleventh Hour”. The chaplain may be called
to help a dying patient when family members are absent or they may request for
last prayers or comfort. The most comforting statement is to assure the family
the patient will go in heaven where there will be no pain or suffering. The SCP
should also remind them the dying person will resurrect as Christ did, and they
will meet in heaven. According to Walton, death is not always an enemy when the
dying person and family accept it. Death is pronounced by a physician after
assessing the heart and the brain. During the last stages of dying the
patients, skin becomes sensitive, and breathing becomes irregular. Most express
unbelief that they have attained god’s salvation that will help attains eternal
life. The SCP should assure them that salvation is a gift attained by the
belief and confession that Jesus Christ died for their sins.
Chapter 13 Know your Counselee’s Belief System
The chapter caution the reader about the mistake of
assuming that all patients all religious. The chaplain should not walk in a
room with a pre-determined sermon because this may to conflicts. The SCP should
assess the beliefs of the patients before preaching or quoting biblical
scriptures. Although human begins are entitled to their rights, they should be
in line with the word of god because Christ has authority that should be obeyed
by all. Scientific evidence about creation, such as Charles Darwin’s rule of
survival for the fittest may be used to explain the story, but the fossils
found in Central and East Africa have been proven to the flood recorded in the
Bible. Lastly, the chapter addresses thirteen questions that are often asked by
seriously ill patients.
Chapter 14 The visits, from simple to complex calls
The KISS (Keep it Simple Stupid) method is effective when
helping spiritually needy patients. SCP should keep their conversation simple
to avoid exaggeration of unnecessary issues. Calls to respond to spiritual
needs are the first simple and become complex with time. Spiritual needs arise
regularly in the care of dying patients, but medical personnel fails to
recognize them. Moreover, they do not understand how to respond to spiritual
issues (p. 206).
Walton suggests several strategies that help SCPs make
successful calls. First, minimize expectations by responding to simple and easy
calls. The SCPs should relax and respond to friendly calls that may not require
their advice or prayer. However, it is important to pray for guidance before
starting every call and the results will be surprising (p. 208). When visiting
the patient from the hospital, the SCP should not take longer than expected to
avoid patient exhaustion. The SCP should also refrain from touching anything in
the patients’ rooms, such as wires, machines, and tubes. Maintain hygiene and
sanitation to prevent the spread of illness that may complicate the patient’s
condition. When patients accept religious conversation, ask if they would like
to hear a “five-minute gospel”. The SCP should read the major encouraging
scriptures such as Romans 3:23, Titus 2:14, Matthew 11:28-30, and Romans
10:9-10 (p. 209).
Chapter 15 On the Road to Excellence: A Little Deeper.
Information on chaplaincy should not be based on training
and experience SCP attain while attending to the patients. Walton tells the
readers that he reads extensively on chaplaincy from used and online books. The
first book Walton suggests is “Promises from God’s Word” because it can be used
at both sad and happy moments (p. 225). The book offers encouragement from the
reliable and truthful word of God. For instance, when dealing with a worried
person the SCP should read scriptural verses such as Matthew 6:27, Psalms 94:9,
Psalms 34:18, Jeremiah 1:5, and Philippians 4:6-7. To a seriously ill or dying
patient, the SCP should verse such as Romans 10:0-10, Ephesians that talk about
God’s gift of salvation.
Books for chaplaincy may also include “Joni” by Joni
Eareckson, “Silent Struggler” by Glenn Mollette, “Facing Death and the Life
After” by Billy Graham, “Devotions for the Man in the Mirror” by Patrick
Morley. Other books include “My Gift: Myself” by Anne Chitwood Nowack,
“Conquering Depression” by Mark A. Sutton, and Bruce Hennigan, “Strategies for
Brief Pastoral Counseling” by Howard W. Stones (p. 229). Walton offers websites
that chaplains should follow to obtain crucial information about the carrier.
Lastly, he notes many sources which the book has referenced.
Summary
In summary “Compassionate Care: An Inspirational Guide
for Caregivers of the Seriously Ill” by Dr. Walton describes how chaplaincy can
be an easy and fulfilling carrier. Walton wrote the book because he did not
find useful information or sources from other chaplains that had worked in the
same field. The fifteen chapters of the book prepare people to help the
spiritually needy and strengthen their faith. The experiences of the various
events show that death is not a tragic event as perceived by many individuals.
He describes various challenges the SCPs face and ways to overcome them when
working with spiritually ill and dying persons. The book is useful for everyone
because death and serious illness occur to everyone. Moreover, it is useful for
people who want to provide spiritual help in hospice, long-term care, hospital
setting, or a family caregiver.
Work Cited
Walton, John W. Compassionate Care: An Inspirational Guide for
Caregivers of the Seriously Ill.
Xulon Press, 2009.