Religious Practice and Spirituality–Then and Now: A Retrospective Study of Spiritual Dimensions of Residents Residing at a Continuing Care Retirement Community

ABSTRACT

Older adults at a church-related continuing care retirement community perceived themselves as being more spiritual in their later years and having a stronger emotional connection to their spirituality than when they were younger. Respondents were currently stable in their religious practice and spirituality, suggesting that changes occurred prior to the recent past, possibly around the time of retirement. This may uphold the notion that increased spirituality in the later years is a natural developmental phenomenon of the aging process. The association between religious coping and perceived health was noted, suggesting that religious coping may buffer perceived health from the negative impact of medical problems. The contribution to spirituality by physical environment and pastoral care was also noted.