Facilitating Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Anxiety in Older People: History, Effectiveness, and Future Possibilities. (2nd November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hungerford, Catherine; Hills, Sharon; Richards, Catelyn; Robinson, Tracy; Hills, Danny
• Is Part Of: Issues in mental health nursing. Volume 43:Number 11(2022)
• Page Start: 1014
• Page End: 1021
• Publication Date: 2022-11-02
• Subjects: Psychiatric nursing -- Periodicals; Mental health personnel -- Periodicals; 616.89023105
• DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2022.2116510
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0161-2840

Abstract

Abstract: The origins of mindfulness go back some 25 centuries to Eastern teachings, including Buddhism and Hinduism. Mindfulness-based interventions gained credence in Western mental health settings in the late 1970s through the work of medical researcher Kabat-Zinn, whose interest in Eastern meditation led him to develop a program for stress reduction. Since then, mindfulness-based interventions have been utilized for various populations, including older people with anxiety. Group mindfulness-based interventions have demonstrated benefits for older people with anxiety living in residential aged care and the community. In primary care settings, innovative delivery models for group mindfulness-based interventions could be facilitated by nurses to support older people with anxiety to age in place with dignity. The benefits of mindfulness-based interventions suggest the value of integrating ancient Eastern techniques with modern Western strategies to achieve better health outcomes for older people with mental health concerns.