Research has found spirituality to be one of the largest factors in health care. In fact, the positive impact of spirituality on health is especially prevalent among older persons. Within the last several years, researchers have consistently found that religiously committed older persons have better health than elderly persons with no such commitment .
Older adults are less likely to be hospitalized if they regularly attend religious services.
When older adults with religious affiliation are hospitalized, their stays are nearly 2 times shorter than those without religious affiliation. Elderly who attend church regularly have healthier immune systems. Acutely hospitalized veterans in North Carolina who spontaneously report using religion as a helpful coping mechanism have half the rate of depression as those who do not find religion to be helpful. Elderly heart patients who are socially active and find strength or comfort in their religious faith are 14 times less likely to die following surgery. Elderly women recovering from hip fractures who name God as a source of strength and comfort and who frequently attended religious services have the best surgical outcomes.