Recognizing and Addressing Existential Distress Among Older Adults with Multimorbidity - Takeaways - MDSpire

Recognizing and Addressing Existential Distress Among Older Adults with Multimorbidity

  • By

  • Hawa O. Abu

  • June 22, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    By 2030, nearly 20% of the US population will be aged 65 years or older, necessitating whole-person care models for older adults.

  • 2

    Approximately one-third of older adults experience clinically meaningful existential or spiritual distress, rising to 40-60% among those with multimorbidity.

  • 3

    Existential distress is often underrecognized in primary care due to time constraints, insufficient training, and misinterpretation as depression or anxiety.

  • 4

    Current management approaches for existential distress, such as dignity therapy, are rarely integrated into routine primary care.

  • 5

    The biopsychosocial-spiritual model offers a patient-centered approach to address existential distress by aligning care with patients' values and goals.

Original Source(s)

Recognizing and Addressing Existential Distress Among Older Adults with Multimorbidity

  • by Hawa O. Abu

  • June 22, 2026

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