Mindfulness meditation to improve care quality and quality of life in long-term care settings

Abstract

Quality of long-term care has been the focus of 2 recent Institute of Medicine reports: "Improving the Quality of Long-Term Care"(1) and "Improving the Quality of Care in Nursing Homes."(2) Although there has been some improvement in care quality since regulatory reforms were enacted in 1987,(3) poor care persists.(4) Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are challenged in the provision of optimal care by chronic stress in the workplace, leading to absenteeism, reduced job satisfaction, and increased turnover.(5-7) Mindfulness training, which cultivates a practice of being present in the moment, recognizing stressful situations when they arise, and responding to stress in an adaptive manner,(8) holds promise as a simple, inexpensive approach to reduce CNA stress and improve quality of care and quality of life for residents in long-term care settings. Formal and informal mindfulness practices can readily be incorporated into CNA educational programs.