Abstract

The goal of this paper is to analyze how having a purpose in life can improve senior’s health. After analyzing these affects, solutions to improve care in nursing homes are proposed. These solutions take into account the current state of nursing homes in the United States and how these barriers can be overcome. This is important research because the overall population in America is aging rapidly as technology and medicine continue to improve. This aging population is presenting several health challenges that need attention now. The USF library online database along with Google Scholar were used to collect studies on this topic. Several case studies and research that examined surveys were collected to draw connections between having a purpose in life and improving care in nursing homes. The paper concludes that if more staff (or in cases where finances are limited volunteers) were to be provided to nursing homes they could implement more activities that will foster a sense of purpose in the resident’s lives. These activities could include mindfulness/ yoga (modified so all levels of mobility could be included), creative activities, game nights, and walking to explore nature. The staff that facilitate these types of activities do not necessarily need a medical background, so it may be beneficial to hire an “all-purpose” staff member. This would alleviate some of the stress that the nursing staff faces because in most cases all forms of care are left to them. This results in rushed or missed tasks and hinders the resident’s overall health. Therefore, using a volunteer or other staff members to help promote a sense of purpose in life for the residents in nursing homes could improve their physical and mental health. More research is needed to understand how the residents would like this type of care added into their daily lives. It would also be beneficial to conduct more research to see which residents would benefit the most from these programs, perhaps those who do not have any family to visit them. This research would help nursing home facilities manage their time and staff better to provide optimal care for all residents.

Keywords: Senior citizens; Purpose in life; Aging population; Meaning in life; Nursing home care; Assisted living