The efficacy of a mindfulness-based exercise program in older residents of a long-term care facility in Taiwan.

Older people living in long-term care facilities remain largely inactive, and therefore promoting exercise in this population is necessary. This study evaluated the efficacy of a mindfulness-based exercise program in older residents of a long-term care facility in Taiwan. A convenience sample of 72 older residents of a long-term care facility were recruited and assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group (n = 36) participated in an 8-week mindfulness-based exercise program, and the control group (n = 36) received routine care. The generalized estimating equation showed significantly larger improvements in a fear of falling, exercise self-efficacy, dynamic balance, and muscle strength in the experimental group than in the control group from baseline to the end of the intervention and 3 months after the end of the intervention. This study provides a reference for how to improve exercise practice in older people living in long-term care facilities.

A Study of Interpersonal Intimacy and Meaning of Life Among Elderly Institutionalized Veterans.

BACKGROUND: Most senior veterans who live in veterans' homes in Taiwan are single and have few intimate, interpersonal relationships. Aging is often accompanied by solitude and illness, which causes senior veterans to doubt the meaning of life and to lose confidence in the value of life. PURPOSE: This study investigated the personal characteristics that influence interpersonal intimacy and the meaning of life as well as the relationship between interpersonal intimacy and the meaning of life among senior veterans living in veterans' homes. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used, and 120 senior male veterans were convenience sampled from three veterans' homes in southern Taiwan. Three structured questionnaires were used in this study: personal characteristics questionnaire, interpersonal intimacy scale, and purpose in life test. RESULTS: (a) Interpersonal intimacy was influenced by source of income or funds, type of residence institution, religious affiliation, and the quality of the participant's relationships with family, friends, and fellow residents. Educational level and self-perceived health status correlated positively with interpersonal intimacy, and period of residence correlated negatively with interpersonal intimacy. (b) Meaning of life was influenced by the quality of relationships with family and friends. Educational level and self-perceived health status correlated significantly and positively with meaning of life, and period of residence correlated negatively with meaning of life. (c) Significant, positive correlations were found among interpersonal intimacy, the four domains of interpersonal intimacy, and meaning of life. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Health professionals involved in the care of senior veterans in institutions may use the results of this study to develop and implement interventions that promote a higher degree of interpersonal intimacy and a higher appreciation of the meaning of life, thus enabling senior veterans to confront old age in a more positive manner.