Love in the Time of Old Age

Love is a fundamental aspect of spirituality. There is so much one could say about Spirituality and Ageing and indeed, so much one could say about love. Where to begin? Most health settings now have guidelines for whole person care in which spiritual needs are acknowledged. However these are focused in specific ways for older people. Spirituality I will start with two definitions of spirituality to put the work done in old age psychiatry into context. One brief but pithy definition is, ‘The rediscovery of lost humanity’. The American National Interfaith Coalition on Ageing describes it as an ‘affirmation of life in relationship with God, self, community and environment that nurtures and celebrates wholeness’. Values, relationships and the discovery of meaning and purpose in life- all these intangibles are of vital importance to us as human beings. This is what Spirituality is to do with