Supporting the mental health of elderly residents in nursing homes using non-pharmacological interventions
Hewa Gajamange, Ishara Madushani; Jasin Liyanage Dona, Rasangi Wijegunasekara (2026)
2026
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202603164428
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202603164428
Tiivistelmä
As nursing students, we recognized that the care of mental health of elderly in nursing homes was particularly important and challenging. There was notable evidence indicating that non-pharmacological care could offer critical assistance for both positive and negative aspects of mental health. Yet, a gap could be perceived in the literature regarding interventions specifically designed for nursing homes.
The aim of this literature review was to describe the non-pharmacological interventions that support the mental health of elderly residents in nursing homes. The purpose of the thesis was to provide a comprehensive review of non-pharmacological interventions to support the mental health of elderly residents in nursing homes.
This thesis was conducted as a descriptive literature review. Reliable databases like CINAHL, PUBMED and APA PsycInfo were searched to obtain studies within the inclusion criteria and were summarised in the research table. Twelve peer-reviewed studies written in the English language within past decade were analysed based on 6 themes. The themes were organised in the order of most internationally recognised evidence related to the findings.
The results of this thesis showed that several non-pharmacological interventions have successfully enhanced the mental health of the elderly in nursing homes worldwide. The interventions were arranged in the following order in the thematic analysis according to evidence-based findings. Music therapy, exercise, reminiscence therapy, digital interventions, social support, environmental support, and light therapy. Overall, the studies showed that these interventions not only assisted in alleviating loneliness, anxiety as well as depression but also enhanced the level of social interactions and quality of life.
This literature review has highlighted the value of integrating non-pharmacological interventions into daily nursing practice, and the results may benefit nurses, nursing students, and care organizations that aim to support the mental health of elderly living in nursing homes.
The aim of this literature review was to describe the non-pharmacological interventions that support the mental health of elderly residents in nursing homes. The purpose of the thesis was to provide a comprehensive review of non-pharmacological interventions to support the mental health of elderly residents in nursing homes.
This thesis was conducted as a descriptive literature review. Reliable databases like CINAHL, PUBMED and APA PsycInfo were searched to obtain studies within the inclusion criteria and were summarised in the research table. Twelve peer-reviewed studies written in the English language within past decade were analysed based on 6 themes. The themes were organised in the order of most internationally recognised evidence related to the findings.
The results of this thesis showed that several non-pharmacological interventions have successfully enhanced the mental health of the elderly in nursing homes worldwide. The interventions were arranged in the following order in the thematic analysis according to evidence-based findings. Music therapy, exercise, reminiscence therapy, digital interventions, social support, environmental support, and light therapy. Overall, the studies showed that these interventions not only assisted in alleviating loneliness, anxiety as well as depression but also enhanced the level of social interactions and quality of life.
This literature review has highlighted the value of integrating non-pharmacological interventions into daily nursing practice, and the results may benefit nurses, nursing students, and care organizations that aim to support the mental health of elderly living in nursing homes.