MINDFULNESS MEDITATION: IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH

IN OLDER ADULTS 

Kaitlin ThimannMHLTHSCI 574: Health & Optimal Aging December 16, 2012

INTRODUCTION

• Mindfulness meditation is one tool that has become increasingly popular to improve mental health in adults.

• Mindfulness meditation is “rooted in Eastern religion and philosophy, namely Buddhism” (Bauer-Wu, 2010, p. 36).

(Hover, n.d.)

MIN

DFU

LNESS

Helpsincrease mental flexibility.

MOVING INTO AMERICAN MEDICINE • Mindfulness meditation moved into

Western medicine with the help from Jon Kabat-Zinn.

• Jon Kabat-Zinn is a Professor of Medicine and the founding Executive Director of the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

• Jon Kabat-Zinn and his program were featured prominently in the award-winning PBS television series Healing and the Mind, and the profound effects of this work have begun to be strongly supported by a large body of scientific research.

(Kabat-Zinn, n.d)

MENTAL HEALTH IN OLDER ADULTS

Depression affects more than 6.5 million of the 35 million Americans aged 65 years or older (Duckworth, 2009).

In the United States, the annual economic, indirect cost of mental illness is estimated to be $79 billion. Most of that amount—approximately $63 billion—reflects the loss of productivity as a result of illnesses (Fitzpatrick, 2006).

CAUSES OF DEPRESSION

Poor Physical Health

Loneliness & Isolation

Personal Loss

(Baden, Zefa, & Corbis, 2008)

CAUSES OF DEPRESSION Poor Physical Health:

Physical disabilities creates low mobility

Loss of independence; require assistance to care for yourself

Feel burdensome to family and friends

(Care from the Heart, 2007)(Black Dog Institute, 2012)

CAUSES OF DEPRESSION Loneliness & Isolation

Lack of close family ties and close friendships

Living alone or in a retirement/assisted living facility

Little participation in social activities & community because of physical illness or lack of transportation

(Smart, 2011 )

(Black Dog Institute, 2012)

CAUSES OF DEPRESSION Personal Loss

Loss of Independence

Loss of Health & Lifestyle

Experience death of loved ones Martial Partner Parents Siblings Friends Pets

(Aanen, 2007)

(Black Dog Institute, 2012)

PREVENTION & ALLEVIATION Teach Wellness Prevention

Teach individuals skills to face & deal with life challenges.

Teach skills to deal with moth mental and physical health challenges.

TYPES OF MINDFULNESS MEDITATION

Mindful Breathing

Body Scan

Mindful Movement

Mindful Walking

Loving Kindness

Mindful Eating

CURRENTLY USED PRACTICES

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: Technique that helps individuals to take control of their own health, both mental and physical.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy“Meditation-based intervention designed to reduce recurrence in people with histories of relapsing unipolar major depression” (Smith & Senthinathan, 2007, p.346).

MINDFULNESS PRACTICE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO DECREASE

Anxiety

Somatization

Depression

Hostility

(Flowers, n.d.). Emailed Author of website for DATE

MINDFULNESS IMPROVES:More effective skills in managing stress

Helps to improve self-esteem

ADD More Positives

CONCLUSION

REFERENCES Aanen, S. (Photographer). (2007). Tyne cot cemetery. [Web Photo]. Retrieved

from http://www.sxc.hu/photo/892543 Baden, Zefa, Corbis. (2008).Depressed senior woman. [Web Photo]. Retrieved

from http://www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,20188647,00.html Black Dog Institute. (2012, Oct.). Depression in older people. Retrieved from http://

www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/docs/Depressioninolderpeople.pdf Care from the Heart. (Photographer). (2007). Elderly man wheelchair . [Web

Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.carefromtheheartcapecod.com/ Duckworth, K. (2009, October). Mental illness. Retrieved from http://www.nami.org Fitzpatrick, M. J. (2006). Mental illness: Facts and numbers. National Alliance on

Mental Health, Retrieved from http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=About_Mental_Illness&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=53155

Flowers, S. (n.d.). Mindfulness-based stress reduction in medicine. Mindful Living Programs, Retrieved from http://www.mindfullivingprograms.com/relatedresearch.php

Hover, L. (Photographer). (n.d.). Old man meditating. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://

meditation-yoga-daily-news.com/beginners-guide-to-meditation-for-health/old-man-meditating-2/

Kabat-Zinn, J. University of Massachusetts Medical School.(n.d.). [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.umassmed.edu/Content.aspx?id=43102

Smart, S. (Photographer). (2011 ). Elderly hands on cup. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.pbase.com/image/80171604