Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Major

Nursing

Date of Defense

7-7-2022

Graduate Advisor

Vanessa Loyd, DNP, Ph.D., RN

Committee

Vanessa Loyd, DNP, Ph.D., RN

Anne Thatcher, DNP, MSW, APRN, PMHNP-BC, LMSW

Nesa Joseph, Ed.D., MHA

Abstract

Problem: Loneliness is a widespread public health concern and has negatively impacted mortality and health outcomes among older adults. This quality improvement project’s purpose was to evaluate mindfulness on loneliness and quality of life among adults aged 65 years and older, participating in a weekly befriending socialization program.

Methods: A descriptive cohort design was utilized to assess loneliness pre-and post-implementation of a mindfulness telephone line over three months. A convenience sample of 22 older adults enrolled in a befriending socialization program was used. The Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice framework was applied to guide the implementation of a practice change and evaluate its impact on healthcare outcomes.

Results: Participation in mindfulness was independent of post-implementation perceived loneliness (p = .697) and quality of life (p = .711). No difference was noted between the post-implementation mean loneliness scores among the mindfulness participation (M = 3.57, SD = 2.70) and no participation groups (M = 3.53, SD = 1.88), t (20) = -0.04, p = .970. Mindfulness participation did not have a significant difference for the mean loneliness scores in the pre- (M = 3.86, SD = 2.54) and post-implementation screenings (M = 3.57, SD = 2.70), t (6) = 0.79, p = .457. A mean decrease from 3.86 to 3.57 is clinically significant.

Implications for Practice: Mindfulness meditation may provide a positive impact on the older adult population. Telephone-based mindfulness meditations have the potential to reduce anxiety and stress while improving focus and sleep, as well as creating the daily habit of deep breathing and mindfulness. The daily activity of telephone-based mindfulness could supplement weekly befriending socialization programs for older adults.

Keywords: older adults, loneliness, mindfulness, meditation, telephone-based, befriending socialization programs, quality of life

Additional Files

Poster Final- J.Tieskoetter.pdf (3651 kB)
Project Poster

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