The role of spiritual nursing interventions on improved outcomes in older adults with dementia.

Dementia is a devastating condition that takes a toll on all involved. This integrative literature review focuses on the role of spirituality/spiritual nursing interventions in the improved health outcomes of older adults with dementia. Dementia treatments are constantly being explored and current findings are promising. Older persons with dementia, respond best to holistic care that includes the spiritual aspects of their lives. Not only is attention to spirituality beneficial to the patient, but to caregivers and nurses/healthcare providers as well. Research indicates that the memory needed to explore one's spirituality may be spared the effects of dementia. This preservation of memory allows older adults with dementia to benefit from spiritual nursing interventions, especially music and rituals. However, further investigation examining the phenomenon of spiritual interventions as treatment is warranted.