The population of older Americans, those 65 years and older, is rapidly increasing and is posing an epigrammatic predicament in the field of public health. At the same time, many older adults perceive spirituality as an important resource in their lives and spiritual practices as crucial to their health and well-being. There is limited knowledge regarding the definition of spirituality from a patient's participant and even less acknowledgment regarding the use of spirituality in managing chronic conditions. The focus of this book was to define, explore, and describe spirituality in the life of chronically ill elders and to examine its relationship to self-management of chronic illness in terms of gender and race. The analysis should help answer the questions: What is "spirituality"? Is it linked to religion? Can spirituality be considered a health behavior? Is spirituality a form of self-management? How do older adults living with chronic illness incorporate their spiritual practices in their lives? This book is addressed to professionals in gerontology, nursing, public health education, and public health researchers.
