geriatrics
Religion and Spirituality in Older Adults
Benefits of Religion and Spirituality
Religion correlates with improved physical and mental health, and religious people may propose that God's intervention facilitates these benefits. However, experts cannot determine whether participation in organized religion contributes to health or whether psychologically or physically healthier people are attracted to religious groups. If religion is helpful, the reason—whether it is the religious beliefs themselves or other factors—is not clear. Many such factors (eg, psychologic benefits, encouragement of healthful practices, social support from the religious community) have been proposed. Religion may provide the following psychologic benefits: A positive and hopeful attitude about life and illness, which predicts improved health outcomes and lower mortality rates A sense of meaning and purpose in life, which affects health behaviors and social and family relationships A greater ability to cope with illness and disability Many older people report that religion is the most important factor enabling them to cope with physical health problems and life stresses (eg, declining financial resources, loss of a spouse or partner). People who use religious coping mechanisms are less likely to develop depression and anxiety than those who do not; this inverse association is strongest among people with greater physical disability. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis documented clear associations between religious and spiritual practices and lower rates of depression and anxiety among older adults. Also, people who were very religious reported better psychologic well-being, greater life satisfaction, and better social relations than those who did not practice religion or spirituality ( References ). Religious people also tend to recover from depression more quickly. Even the perception of disability appears to be altered by the degree of religiousness. Of older women with hip fractures, the most religious had the lowest rates of depression and were able to walk significantly further when discharged from the hospital than those who were less religious. In older adults, active involvement in a religious community correlates with better maintained physical functioning and health. Some religious groups (eg, Mormons, Seventh-Day Adventists) advocate behaviors that enhance health, such as avoidance of tobacco and heavy alcohol use. Members of these groups are less likely to develop substance-related disorders, and they live longer than the general population. Religious beliefs and practices often foster the development of community and broad social support networks. Increased social contact for older adults increases the likelihood that disease will be detected early and that older people will adhere to treatment regimens because members of their community interact with them and ask them questions about their health and medical care. Older people who have such community networks are less likely to neglect themselves. Religious faith also benefits caregivers. Many studies have shown that religious feeling facilitates coping and is associated with mental health benefits for caregivers of older adults with dementia, cancer, or other serious and/or terminal conditions. 1.PRRI: PRRI 2021 Census of American Religion, Updates and Trends: White Christian Decline Slows, Unaffiliated Growth Levels Off. Accessed 3/31/23. 2.Coelho-Júnior HJ, Calvani R, Panza F, et al: Religiosity/spirituality and mental health in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.Front Med (Lausanne). 9:877213, 2022. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.877213 