Ageing and Spirituality across Faiths and Cultures

Elizabeth MacKinlay is a registered nurse and an Anglican priest. She is Director of the Centre for Ageing and Pastoral Studies at St Mark's National Theological Centre, Canberra, and a Professor in the School of Theology, Charles Sturt University. Elizabeth was Chair of the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing in 2008 and is the ACT Senior Australian of the Year for 2009.

This is a book for our times, focusing on the concepts of ageing and dying, mediated through the cultural belief systems and spiritual practices that comprise today's multi faith, multi cultural societies... this book has much to teach us that is applicable in Britain, specifically the essay relating to "living and being in multi cultural communities" and the essay examining the delivery of high quality care within the multi cultural, multi faith context.It is important in delivering holistic care to clients, that we understand the broader context in which they are living, ageing and dying, and how their faith and belief systems influence their, and their care givers' attitudes to the care being provided. This is a book that can only aid the better provision of such holistic care.

• Acknowledgements. Preface. 1. Ageing and Spirituality: Living and Being in Multifaith and Multicultural Communities, Elizabeth MacKinlay, Charles Sturt University, Australia. 2. The Interrelationship of Spirituality, Culture and Community in International Perspective, James Haire, Charles Sturt University, Australia. 3. The Cultural Diversity of Older Australians, Ingrid Seebus and Ann Peut, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australia. 4. The Ageing Spirit, Rachael Kohn, ABC Radio National, Australia. 5. Friends and Neighbours: Pastoral Care and Ageing in Christian Perspective, Elizabeth MacKinlay, Charles Sturt University, Australia. 6. From Ageing to Sage-ing: Judaism and Ageing, Jeffrey Cohen, University of New South Wales, Australia. 7. Dorothy, Oodgeroo and Blackfella Ageing: The Role of Spirituality When You're Short on Culture and Can't Find Your Red Shoes, Dennis McDermott, Flinders University, Australia. 8. An Islamic Perspective on Ageing and Spirituality, Mohammad Abdalla, Griffith University, Australia, and Ikebal Mohammed Adam Patel, Muslims Australia, Australian Capital Territory Muslim Advisory Council, Malek Fahd Islamic School and Islamic School of Canberra, Australia. 9. The Spiritual Needs of the Aged and Dying: A Buddhist Perspective, Subhana Barzaghi, Sydney Zen Centre, Australia. 10. Dying: An Approach to Care from Hindu and Buddhist Perspectives, Amy Rayner, University of Melbourne, Australia, and Purushottama Bilimoria, Deakin University, University of Melbourne, Australia, and State University of New York and Columbia University, USA. 11. Orthodox Faith: A Lively Spirit for Older People, Rosalie Hudson, Charles Sturt University and University of Melbourne, Australia. 12. Cultural Diversity in Aged Care: A Showcase of Services Tailored to Meet the Physical, Cultural and Spiritual Needs of People of Greek Origin, Robyn Simmonds and Rev. Fr. Nicholas Stavropoulos, St. Basil's Homes, Australia. 13. Spiritual Well-being for Older People, Ann Harrington, Flinders University, Australia. 14. Integrated Support for Veterans in Aged Care Homes, Tracey T.A. McDonald, Australian Catholic University, Australia. 15. On the Road to Emmaus: Ageing Religious Sisters, A Group with Specific Spiritual and Cultural Needs, Gabrielle Brian, Charles Sturt University, Australia 16. Promoting High Quality Care, Elizabeth Pringle, Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency, Australia. 17. The Search Conference Process in Ageing and Spiritual and Pastoral Care: Directions for the Future, Elizabeth MacKinlay, Charles Sturt University, Australia. Contributors. References.