Incorporating religion and spirituality to improve care for anxiety and depression in older adults.
Recent research has suggested that religion/spirituality may be linked to improved physical and emotional health, although the patient's motivation and method of using religious/spiritual beliefs appear to be a key factor in obtaining benefit. Studies have shown that there is a high level of religion/spirituality among older adults in the United States and significant patient-reported desire to include such beliefs in health care settings. This article provides a brief overview of the support for considering religion/spirituality in the health care of older adults and reviews potential drawbacks and methods for providers to assess and use patient beliefs to improve anxiety/depression.
Phillips
Laura L
LL
Olin E. Teague VA Medical Center, Temple, Texas, USA.
Paukert
Amber L
AL
Stanley
Melinda A
MA
Kunik
Mark E
ME
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026441:Mind-Body Therapies; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D029181:Spirituality; D014481:United States