What is it about?
Frailty is a condition, common in older age, where an individual's body loses its physical reserves and resilience, making them more vulnerable to health problems and poorer mental health. Treatment for depression in older adults is often pharmacological, yet this may increase the risk of side effects from medication. This commentary explores a review of non-drug treatments to improve psychological health in older adults with frailty (Tao et al. 2023), and considers the findings for community nursing care.
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Why is it important?
For the older adult population, non-drug treatments for psychological health may help to avoid poly-pharmacy and side-effects from medication. The evidence considered in the commentary showed that group based physical exercises and alternative therapies such as acupuncture and music therapy may help to reduce symptoms of depression in older adults with frailty. The findings emphasise the importance of patient-centred community care to respond to the physical and psychological needs of older adults with frailty. More rigorous research is now needed to increase the number and certainty of studies in this evidence base.
Perspectives
As the older adult population increases, addressing the challenges of frailty including psychological health, remains a priority for public health. This commentary reminds us of the importance of person-centred, holistic care that considers the whole person and their needs, rather than a symptom by symptom basis. For older people living in the community with frailty, this approach helps to address both physical and psychological health. I hope this commentary on Tao et al.'s (2023) review stimulates reflection on person-centred care in the community, and adds advocacy for a holistic approach.
Joanna Harrison
University of Central Lancashire
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Non-pharmacological treatment for psychological health in older people with frailty, British Journal of Community Nursing, November 2025, Mark Allen Group,
DOI: 10.12968/bjcn.2025.0055.
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