Ageing, Spirituality and Well-being - Thoughtful Introductory

In this review of Ageing, Spirituality and Well-being the reviewer finds a compassionate and accessible collection aimed at readers exploring the overlap between ageing and spiritual care. Compiled from plenary addresses and papers presented at the Second International Conference on Ageing, Spirituality and Well-Being (2002, Durham University), this book is best for students and practitioners seeking thoughtful perspectives rather than a clinical manual; its single biggest appeal is the humane, reflective tone that makes complex themes approachable for learners.

Key Features

• Conference origins: Essays and plenary addresses from the 2002 Durham University conference offer a snapshot of early international thinking on spirituality and ageing.
• Human-centred voice: Contributions are noted for a compassionate and warm tone, making academic discussion readable and engaging for non-specialists.
• Educational value: The book serves as an accessible introductory text for undergraduate nurses and other health students exploring spiritual needs in care.
• Interdisciplinary perspectives: Multiple papers present varied angles on spirituality, ethics and quality of life, useful for those teaching or studying holistic care.
• Timely relevance: The collection addresses growing attention within the medical professions to spiritual and religious needs, helping readers contextualize care approaches.

Who It's For

This compilation is especially well suited to undergraduate nurses, chaplaincy students, care professionals and educators who want a compassionate introduction to the topic of spirituality in later life. Its tone and selection of papers make it useful as a course reading or a starter text for reflective practice.

Readers seeking step-by-step clinical protocols, up-to-date empirical studies, or a quick reference handbook should look elsewhere, since the book is primarily a curated set of conference papers with reflective and theoretical emphasis rather than a practical manual.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Warm, humane writing that makes challenging themes accessible to students and practitioners.
• Broad perspectives from an international conference provide interdisciplinary insights into spirituality and ageing.
• Recommended by academic reviewers as a suitable introductory text for undergraduate nursing courses.

Cons

• As a conference-based collection from 2002, it is not a source of recent empirical research or contemporary clinical guidelines.

Specifications

Title	Ageing, Spirituality and Well-being
Editor / Author	Albert Jewell
Origin	Based on Second International Conference (2002, Durham University)
Content type	Plenary addresses and conference papers
Intended audience	Undergraduate nurses, health professionals, students of spirituality
Tone	Compassionate, warm and humane

Our Verdict

Ageing, Spirituality and Well-being is a valuable introductory collection for educators and health students interested in the spiritual dimensions of care for older adults. Its compassionate, conference-sourced essays provide context and thoughtful commentary that justify its use in academic courses, though readers seeking the latest empirical studies or clinical protocols will need to supplement with more recent sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for nursing students?
Yes. Reviewers recommend it as an introductory text for undergraduate nurses exploring spiritual needs in care.

Does the book include clinical guidelines?
No. It is a collection of conference papers and reflections rather than a manual of clinical procedures.

When were the original papers presented?
The contributions were originally presented at the Second International Conference on Ageing, Spirituality and Well-Being in 2002, held at Durham University.