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A diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s is often a terrifying event for the patient and their family. Slowly losing one’s memories to the point of not recognizing loved ones is a future none of us want to experience. But science is now finding that these cognitive diseases may be preventable through the practice of daily […]
A diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s is often a terrifying event for the patient and their family. Slowly losing one’s memories to the point of not recognizing loved ones is a future none of us want to experience. But science is now finding that these cognitive diseases may be preventable through the practice of daily meditation.
Prescribing Meditation
A recent study from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has found that meditation can dramatically slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Adults between the ages of 55 and 90 were divided into two groups. One group received regular care while the other group also practiced meditation and yoga for at least two hours each week.
The researchers found that the group who practiced meditation and yoga each week had significantly less atrophy in the brain, as well as better brain connectivity, than the control group.
In another study, an international team of scientists looked at the brain scans of 50 American men and women who meditated regularly along with brain scans of 50 Americans who did not practice any form of meditation. The findings were startling.
The brain scans of those Americans who did not meditate showed a brain age the same as the person’s actual age. However, the brain scans of those people who regularly meditated were, on average, 7 years younger than the person’s actual age. Researcher Christian Gaser from Jena University Hospital in Germany said of their findings:
“These findings suggest that meditation is beneficial for brain preservation, with a slower rate of brain aging throughout life.”
Other Benefits of Meditation
While the findings of meditation’s impact on the progression of dementia are fairly recent, the brain boosting benefits of meditation have been shown consistently over the last 20 years. Science now suggests that meditation has the ability to:
• Increase protective tissues in the brain
• Prevent atrophy in the hippocampus
• Alleviate stress and anxiety
• Help seniors feel less isolated and lonely
• Increase grey matter in the brain as well as cortical thickness, which is associated with memory and decision-making
Tips on Getting Started with Meditation
Meditation comes easier to some than others. And that’s okay. To get started, there are simply three things you need to understand:
It’s a Practice
They call meditation a practice because there is no perfection involved here. You simply commit to meditating each day and you do the best you can do. It’s not easy quieting all of the mind chatter, as you’ll learn. Just keep at it and you will have your breakthroughs.
Start Slow
You don’t need to start off meditating each day for 20 minutes. In fact, I would recommend that you don’t do that, as you’ll more than likely find it very hard to quiet your mind for that long and you’ll become frustrated. Start with 3 minutes each day. That’s it. Slowly move the time up as you become more comfortable with your practice.
Meditation Should be Fun!
Meditating shouldn’t feel like a chore or something you are forcing yourself to do each day. You should look forward to this quiet time.
The mistake many beginners make is thinking there is only one way to meditate, and that is focusing on your breath. But that’s simply not true.
Yes, many practitioners do focus on their breathing (called mindfulness breathing), but some people focus on the sounds in the immediate area, others gaze at an image or into the flame of a candle, and still others take meditative walks, focusing solely on the movement of walking.
Do some experimentation and find what works best for you and is the most fun.
As we age, it becomes more and more important to take care of our brains. Meditation may be one of the most important things you can do!
It is Social Work Month, and Social Workers across the nation are celebrating the theme for 2020, which is Generations Strong. Our nation’s more than 700,000 social workers each day meet people where they are and help them live to their fullest potential. Social workers from every generation-from the Silent Generation to Generation Z […]
It is Social Work Month, and Social Workers across the nation are celebrating the theme for 2020, which is Generations Strong. Our nation’s more than 700,000 social workers each day meet people where they are and help them live to their fullest potential. Social workers from every generation-from the Silent Generation to Generation Z – are shaping our society for the better. Social work is one of the fastest growing professions in the United States, with the number of people employed in social work to grow by 11 percent over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Social work is a profession with expansive borders. You will find social workers everywhere in our society. In schools, in centers for veterans, in mental health and health care facilities, in corporations and in local, state and federal government to name a few. In fact, many people do not know social workers account for the largest group of mental health care providers in the United States or that the
Veterans Administration is the largest employer of social workers with master’s degrees.
At We Care Management, we not only employee Social Workers from various generations, our clients are from all generations. This is why, this year’s Social Work Month theme is so meaningful to us, Generations Strong. Everyone is touched by the various generations among us, whether the effects are positive or negative, and this is why, our Social Workers specialize in supporting our clients honor or heal the different situations they have experienced over the years and within a variety of relationships. Whether our client is a middle aged adult child of an aging parent, a young adult coping with the transition of parenthood, a teenager trying to find a college and career direction, or an elder experiencing a variety of losses, we support them in leading a life with more peace and joy.
As with most things in life, getting older comes with its good points and bad points. Speaking from a “glass is half full” point of view, getting older means having more confidence in who you are. It means enjoying retirement, traveling and getting a seat on a crowded bus or subway. But there is also […]
As with most things in life, getting older comes with its good points and bad points. Speaking from a “glass is half full” point of view, getting older means having more confidence in who you are. It means enjoying retirement, traveling and getting a seat on a crowded bus or subway.
But there is also another side of getting older, and that is one of loss: the loss of friends, loved ones, spouses, mobility, memories, hearing, eyesight and subsequent independence.
“Getting old is not for sissies.”
― Bette Davis
Boy was she right. While our Golden years can be rewarding, if we’re honest, they can also be beyond challenging. While it’s expected to feel sad about the amount of loss we experience in old age, some seniors experience a real sense of despair and hopelessness that turns into chronic depression.
It’s important to distinguish between sadness and depression. Sadness is a normal part of life. It’s important that we give ourselves space to grieve over the loss of loved ones.
But it’s equally important to recognize the symptoms of depression, so you or your senior loved one can seek the help they need. Here are some things to watch out for:
For most people, experiencing one of these at a time is not a real issue. The problems arise when two or more items on this list are experienced and persist for several weeks and even months.
There are some things seniors can do (and their loved ones can encourage them to do) that will help them deal with their depression.
Stay Active
Exercise is not only important to keep your body strong and prevent falls, but it’s also important to stabilize mood. As you may know when we exercise our bodies release feel-good endorphins. This can be a natural mood enhancer at any age. Tai chi is a fantastic exercise for seniors because it is incredibly gentle on the body.
Treat any Insomnia
Sometimes a lack of sleep can bring on depression. And as we age, we can develop sleep disturbances because of hormonal shifts and chronic pain. Also, here’s a bit of information from David N. Neubauer, M.D., author of Understanding Sleeplessness: Perspectives on Insomnia:
“As we age, we typically spend less time in the deepest levels of non-REM sleep (Stage 3 and Stage 4) and more time in the lighter levels. Consequently, older people often suffer from fragmented sleep, waking up more often during the night and early in the morning. In response to these changing sleep patterns, many [older] people develop poor sleep habits that compound the problem.”
So it’s important to go to bed at the same time every night, wake at the same time in the morning, and cut back on any caffeine.
Seek Help from a Trained Therapist
If these tips don’t alleviate the symptoms of depression, it really is important to get some help from a therapist, who will help you recognize the patterns of depression, can offer coping strategies, and can even prescribe medication should you require it.
If you or a loved one would like to explore treatment options, please be in touch with me. I’d be happy to discuss how I may be able to help.
References:
They say that with age comes wisdom, and for some, that may be true. But with age also comes some very big challenges. In addition to dealing with the onset of disease and physical disabilities, older people must face loss: the loss of a spouse, loss of friends, loss of siblings, and even the loss […]
They say that with age comes wisdom, and for some, that may be true. But with age also comes some very big challenges. In addition to dealing with the onset of disease and physical disabilities, older people must face loss: the loss of a spouse, loss of friends, loss of siblings, and even the loss of memories.
“Getting old is not for sissies.” – Bette Davis
When you consider all of this loss, it’s not surprising that aging and depression often go hand-in-hand. While feeling sadness over these losses is a normal part of life, some people experience profound depression.
But, if earlier in your life you never really experienced depression, how do you know the difference between it and sadness? Here are some signs of depression:
At some time in our lives, most of us have experienced one or two of these symptoms. But when you experience more than one or two at a time, and these feelings linger and deepen, that is a clear indicator of depression.
Beating Depression Will Require Trust
When someone who has faced so much loss becomes depressed, what can they do to feel better? The answer to that question is to seek the help of a therapist who can help you navigate your emotions, offer tools for mood management and even prescribe medications if they feel it will help.
But there lies the conundrum.
Those suffering from depression often feel helpless, that is to say, they feel they are beyond being helped. When a person feels that no one and nothing can help them, they will not seek help and refuse it when it is offered. In fact, some depressed people even become angered when loved ones try to help.
This is when trust becomes a vital component to getting well. Older people have spent a lifetime forming relationships with family and friends. They know the connection and love is genuine. Therefor they must trust that when a loved one comes to them and says, “I love you and I’m concerned. I think you’re depressed and you need some help…” they recognize they are coming from a loving place and trust they want what’s best for them.
If you yourself have tried to help an older loved one but they refuse to listen, consider having someone else they might trust even more speak with them. This could be an old colleague, their doctor, or your local pastor. And sometimes you may just have to get a group together and have an intervention.
If you or a loved one is suffering from depression, you can feel better. You can remember that life is worth living, even while feeling so much pain and sorrow. If you would like to explore treatment options, please contact me. I would be happy to speak with you about how I may help.
Most of us, when we were growing up, had hobbies. Some of us collected stamps or coins, others rode horses, and still others liked to draw or bake. But then we grew up and our world became filled with work and family responsibilities, and we had little time to do the things we once loved. […]
Most of us, when we were growing up, had hobbies. Some of us collected stamps or coins, others rode horses, and still others liked to draw or bake. But then we grew up and our world became filled with work and family responsibilities, and we had little time to do the things we once loved.
And that’s too bad, because hobbies are essentially a way for us to play as adult. We don’t pursue needlepoint to become famous or to make millions of dollars (if only!), we partake in hobbies for the pure pleasurethey bring to us.
Happiness isn’t just nice to feel, happiness actually makes us healthier and live longer! A study found that older people who are happy have a 35% lower risk of dying over a five-year period than unhappy people. The research was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
But I’m Too Old to Pick Up a Hobby
Rubbish.
Did you know that Winston Churchill didn’t start painting until he was in his middle years? He absolutely fell in love with it. In a small book called Painting as a Pastime, he wrote:
“… There is no subject on which I feel more humble or yet at the same time more natural. I do not presume to explain how to paint, but only how to get enjoyment.” [and then later in the book] “We cannot aspire to masterpieces. We may content ourselves with a joy ride in a paint-box…”
Whether it’s painting, ceramics, photography, Italian cooking, writing poetry, or scrapbooking – or something else entirely – pick something you’ve always wanted to do and just try it.
Getting Started
Okay, let’s set you out on your new journey of growth, discovery, and joy! Here are some steps you can take to get started.
1. Brainstorm – If you aren’t exactly sure what kind of hobby you would enjoy, spend some time making a list of things you have enjoyed in the past. Maybe you like music or you’ve always liked being outdoors.
2. Research – To narrow your list, do some research on things like cost and time needed for these hobbies. This is good to know before you dive in.
3. Don’t listen to others – Don’t listen to anyone who tells you you’re foolish for wanting to learn to Salsa dance or kayak “at your age.” These people are to be pitied, not listened to.
4. Be honest with yourself – Maybe you’ll love the hobby you choose and maybe you’ll want to try something else. The idea here is to play and explore yourself.
It is never to old to begin a new journey. I wish you an exciting one!
Deciding when to move to a senior living community or to transition a loved one to a community is a very difficult decision. How do you know when the time is right? Owner, Amanda LaRose, LCSW, C-ASWCM, was interviewed by Peggy Breda owner of A Family Tie, and Toni Reinhart owner of Positive Dementia Care […]
Deciding when to move to a senior living community or to transition a loved one to a community is a very difficult decision. How do you know when the time is right? Owner, Amanda LaRose, LCSW, C-ASWCM, was interviewed by Peggy Breda owner of A Family Tie, and Toni Reinhart owner of Positive Dementia Care Training, on the topic of what to look for when you are trying to decide if it is time to move yourself or a loved one to a community. Download the interview here When to Move-Interview.
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I have been using my essential oils more at home in my personal life, but also in my office with patients and realized I have not shared with our community how helpful they can be! Essential oils help support the microsystems of the body and provide rapid and sustained improvement for people in regards to […]
I have been using my essential oils more at home in my personal life, but also in my office with patients and realized I have not shared with our community how helpful they can be! Essential oils help support the microsystems of the body and provide rapid and sustained improvement for people in regards to their overall well-being. Whether emotionally or physically essential oils can help in many ways and there is an abundance of research backing it up. The fields of psychology and biology show that the smell of aromas hit the receptors of the brain and triggers certain emotions, memories, and actual changes in the body. This video shares more about the specifics about how essential oils can help individuals and families lead a more well-balanced life. It even discusses the benefits for elders and how a simple hand massage with lavender oil can decrease anxiety and agitation. At the same time it helps lessen the stress of caregivers. Please check out this video and let me know if you have any questions. – Amanda LaRose, Owner
Alicea Ardito, a Therapist with We Care Management, is a Licensed Master of Social Work and a certified Aging Life Care Manager. She is currently a Supervisee in Social Work working toward clinical licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia. She has been working with older adults for more than ten years with clinical focus on […]
Alicea Ardito, a Therapist with We Care Management, is a Licensed Master of Social Work and a certified Aging Life Care Manager. She is currently a Supervisee in Social Work working toward clinical licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
She has been working with older adults for more than ten years with clinical focus on depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and physical and emotional pain. Her background includes working with a community mental health team serving older adults with severe mental illness, coordinating social services in assisted living and long term care settings, with hospice, and as a geriatric care manager. She is passionate about educating others on aging well, and can provide expert advice on resources available to older adults and how to navigate the complex web of care options.
In addition to older adults, Alicea provides psychotherapy and counseling to adults of all ages. She is a firm believer in holistic, comprehensive care. She has completed mastery training in hypnotherapy and can provide clients with brief hypnotic psychotherapy to enhance healing and therapeutic process. Alicea specializes in utilizing hypnotherapy with clients for cessation of negative behaviors, facilitating positive change, weight loss, anxiety/phobias, and for non-pharmaceutical management of pain.
Alicea’s commitment is to provide supportive, empathic and client-centered care to her clients.
As people age they often acquire difficulties with their health and daily functioning and therefore have more stress and more things to “manage”. It can become a full-time job taking care of one’s life as they navigate through the aging process, whether it is the individual themselves managing everything or a family member or friend. […]
As people age they often acquire difficulties with their health and daily functioning and therefore have more stress and more things to “manage”. It can become a full-time job taking care of one’s life as they navigate through the aging process, whether it is the individual themselves managing everything or a family member or friend. We often see these circumstanced lead to increased frustration, worry, sadness, and a loss of the ability to have enough time to take part in enjoyable activities. Because there are multiple health issues to deal with and therefore many appointments, in addition to all of the other daily life tasks, people can become overwhelmed and sometimes forget appointments or plan for them on the wrong day. If you or someone you know is experiencing something similar to this, we encourage you to ask for help in managing some of this, so you and your loved ones can still have time and energy for enjoyable activities in your day to day lives!
People can get confused with all the terms used for illnesses these days. For example, in eldercare I often here people say “I don’t have Dementia, I have Alzheimer’s Disease,” or “I would rather have Dementia than Alzheimer’s Disease.” Therefore, I thought it would be helpful to explain the terms, along with some other ideas […]
People can get confused with all the terms used for illnesses these days. For example, in eldercare I often here people say “I don’t have Dementia, I have Alzheimer’s Disease,” or “I would rather have Dementia than Alzheimer’s Disease.” Therefore, I thought it would be helpful to explain the terms, along with some other ideas to think about. Dementia is the general term used for many types of irreversible cognitive impairment . Alzheimer’s Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, and Parkinson’s Disease, to name a few, are subtypes of Dementia. Even if someone has Dementia, they are still the person they were years ago, but at times it is hard to see them in this way. This is when people may tend to care for the individual rather then support and empower them to modify the ways they do things. For example, if someone who is experiencing short-term memory loss is having a difficult time remembering a word, we are quick to tell them the word so they don’t feel embarrassed, frustrated, or uncomfortable. I am not saying that is the wrong thing to do, but try to give them some time and then read their cues. They may try to figure out the word, they may move on and brush over it, or they may look in your direction or even ask for the word. If the latter happens, by all means, tell them the word. Just try to always remember the old age, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.”
