Date of Award
5-2016
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies
Department
Holistic Health
First Advisor
Carol Geisler
Second Advisor
Stasia Johnson Steinhagen
Third Advisor
Janet Dahlem
Department/School
Holistic Health Studies
Abstract
Over the next two decades, the population of adults over age 55 will undergo exponential growth. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is popular, and offers pain management, increased mobility, a sense of control over health, improved health overall despite physical frailty, personal responsibility over health and health care, and preservation of good health. We identified and interviewed decision-makers from eight assisted living facilities in two Twin Cities counties regarding what types of CAM they offer onsite and why. Quantitative and qualitative data, were analyzed to describe CAM therapies and identify themes. Themes emerged around access to CAM, barriers to CAM and benefits of CAM. CAM access themes include appropriating more space to provide services, reducing the burden of finding appropriate practitioners, and problems of relying on volunteers to provide services. Themes around CAM’s perceived health benefits in older adults include reducing medications, pain, depression, and anxiety. These findings have implications for elder care living choices, care costs and reimbursement practices, conventional and holistic health policy, and the well-being of older adults.
Recommended Citation
Pommerenke, Chris and Poupore, Julie. (2016). Older Adults and the Availability of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Assisted Living Facilities: A Critical Examination. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website: https://sophia.stkate.edu/ma_hhs/9