The Oregon Caregiver FALL/WINTER 2024 www.ohca.com 14 Mindfulness Ideas for Long Term Care Providers By Nicolette Reilly, Oregon Health Care Association As Walt outlined in his article, mindfulness is a valuable and important state of being that can be cultivated in everyday life to help seniors maintain a healthy physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It can help individuals achieve a relaxed state of mind by increasing awareness of their present thoughts, emotions, and feelings. There are numerous benefits of meditation and mindfulness. Here are a few that are particularly relevant for seniors: • Improved focus and concentration: Mindfulness helps seniors stay focused on the present, which can improve memory and cognitive function. This can be particularly beneficial for seniors dealing with cognitive decline or dementia. • Reduced stress and anxiety: Regular meditation can help reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety. This can lead to improved mental health and a better quality of life. • Better sleep: Mindfulness meditations for sleep can help seniors establish healthier sleep patterns. Good sleep is essential for overall health and wellbeing. • Pain management: Mindfulness meditation for pain has been shown to help manage chronic pain in seniors. It can be a useful complement to traditional pain management strategies. • Increased emotional well-being: Mindfulness and meditation can lead to an improved sense of well-being, general mood, and overall happiness. They can help seniors navigate the emotional challenges of aging, fostering resilience, and positivity. • Decreased loneliness and depression: A study from Mindfulness NY reported that mindfulness-based interventions were associated with significant declines in loneliness and depression among seniors. Mindfulness meditation for seniors is a vital part of maintaining mental health and overall well-being. Incorporating mindfulness and meditation into a daily routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some mindfulness activities that seniors can try: • Breathing exercises: Require sitting, focusing on regulating your breath, and being in the moment. Box breathing is a popular exercise that can help lower heart rate and calm the body. Simply focusing on the breath, in and out, can help bring about a sense of calm and focus. It’s a simple practice that can be done anywhere, anytime. • Yoga: Encourages seniors to focus on their bodies, minds, and environments. Regular practice can improve mood, relieve anxiety, and lower the risk of depression. • Mindful eating: Paying attention to the taste, texture, and smell of food can turn a regular meal into a practice of mindfulness. It’s about savoring each bite and being fully present in the experience of eating. • Walking meditation: Also known as mindful walking. Taking a slow, mindful walk, paying attention to each step and the feeling of movement, can be a form of meditation. It’s a way to connect with the body and the surrounding environment. • Body scan: A simple exercise that helps seniors connect to their physical self and notice any sensations without judgment. • Guided sleep meditation: Involves following along with a recorded voice that prompts relaxation techniques and visualizations to help seniors fall into a deep sleep. Incorporating mindfulness meditation into communities’ current activities and person-centered service plans, with flexible, creative programs, can improve the quality of life not only for our residents, but also for your team members. Nicolette Reilly is the SVP of Quality at OHCA. QUALITY
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