Meaning and practices of spiritual care for older people with dementia: experiences of nurses and care workers.

Nurses and care workers perceived self-esteem as a core domain of spiritual care for older people with severe dementia. Reminiscing about important achievements and enjoying small pleasures in daily life enhance older people's self-esteem. Communication strategies involving active listening and therapeutic lying can help maintain older people's self-esteem and cognitive abilities. Older people with dementia respond in different ways to standardized care procedures, so care providers must employ of a variety of skilful approaches.