Benefits of Mindfulness for the elderly - Part 1:

Improved longevity

We are experiencing an exponential growth of the elderly population unlike any other time of history. This percentage of the elderly as a portion of the total population is expected to grow continuously during the next 10-15 years.

As the advancing years bring along a multitude of issues and diseases, any methods to address those become important, both to the elderly and the country.

Secular Mindfulness is globally prasticed today by Christians, Buddhists, Muslims and atheists. It doesn't belong to any religious belief. Mindfulness helps practitioners to develop a more aware outlook in every aspect of their lives and they feel happier and less anxious in their daily activities. In addition, scientists have discovered specific benefits of Mindfulness practice in the elderly. We will explore these benefits as a series starting from this week.

A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggests that there is evidence that elderly practitioners of Mindfulness and Transcendental Meditation experience improved longevity. The study followed 73 seniors and found a significant decrease in mortality rates among those who meditate after a follow-up period of 3 years.

Another way that meditation may improve longevity is through slowing down cellular ageing, a mechanism suggested in a National Institutes of Health study. A pilot study done by the University of California, Davis found that those who regularly prasticed Mindfulness and loving-kindness have higher levels of telomeres, an enzyme responsible for lengthening the telomeres at the ends of the chromosomes - which affects ageing.

Decreases Loneliness

The traditional Sri Lankan society has a central place for the elderly. The seniors live with their grown-up children and have a respected place within the family while helping to bring up the grandchildren.

This is beginning to change along with the 'modernisation' of Sri Lankan society. Increasingly, more and more elderly people are starting to spend their last years alone. Children scatter, either to seek greener pastures abroad or to live elsewhere for greater independence. Finally, even one's spouse passes away.

Being lonely is much more than a silent house and a lack of companionship. Over time, loneliness not only takes a toll on the mind but can have a serious physical impact as well. Loneliness has been linked to increased risk of heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, depression and even premature death.

According to a study done by the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), the elderly who engaged in an eight weeks Mindfulness program significantly decreased self-reported loneliness. The two-month program, which taught the seniors to simply be attentive to the present without dwelling in the past or projecting into the future, successfully reduced the feelings of loneliness.

Loneliness is associated with an increase in the activity of inflammation related genes that can promote variety of diseases. Inflammation is a natural component of our immune system which helps to fight a variety of bodily infections and injuries. However, chronic inflammation is now known to be a primary player in many diseases and psychological disorders.

The researchers of the UCLA study made another remarkable discovery. They found the Mindfulness program had also altered the genes and protein markers of inflammation among the practitioners.

The researchers went on to remark that a psychological intervention such as Mindfulness not only decreases loneliness but also reduces chronic inflammatory gene expression among the elderly.

Slow down the Development of Dementia

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. Most often it is a disease of the elderly.

However, it is incorrect to believe that serious mental decline in Dementia is a normal part of ageing. There is an intermittent stage between the expected declines of normal aging and more serious decline associated with Dementia called 'mild cognitive impairment'. Approximately half of those diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment can develop more serious Dementia within five years.

A study performed at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center indicates that Mindfulness and breathing exercises may slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease among those with mild cognitive impairment. Researchers believe that this may work by protecting the brain against anxiety and stress, which can speed up the development of Alzheimer's. This is a significant finding as there are currently few treatment options for Alzheimer's disease.

Mindfulness is very beneficial to the elderly.

(Aruna Manathunge who has practiced Mindfulness for over 43 years, conducts Mindfulness training in schools, hospitals and companies. Aruna can be contacted at [email protected])