Dementia is a term that refers to a series of conditions, most notably memory loss and a loss of mindfulness, that generally occurs with advancement in age. Mindfulness is a mentally enriching experience for healthy minds and a rich experience for memory care. Here are four ways mindfulness training is implemented to help residents with Dementia through memory care in Canton, MS.
Reduce Anxiety
Mindfulness involves having wholesome control over your thoughts and feelings about yourself, your environment, and how it affects your daily activities. By gradually introducing the principles of trust and acceptance, Residents with dementia are taught how to achieve a more relaxed state of mind.
One of the primary features of dementia is anxiety, which is aggravated by stress. The aggravating factor, stress, is dealt with by training the residents on mindfulness. By addressing anxiety in Residents with dementia, residents enjoy a richer and longer life.
Increased Retention
Contrary to popular opinion, the effects of dementia don’t steeply worsen with time. In fact, there are cases of people who get better with memory retention following proper management. Better memory retention comes with mindfulness. By reducing the emphasis on “struggling to remember a thing,” mindfulness can aid memory retention.
The traditional approach to memory retention by bombarding the brain with several attempts to remember produces a counterproductive effect by increasing stress. Stress worsens memory loss. By using mindfulness training coupled with a serene environment and senior living amenities, residents enjoy a stress-free environment that boosts memory retention.
Social Interaction
Isolation damages the mind faster than most people realize. According to Gerontology studies, a majority of older people crave social interaction more than they do gifts, money, and sometimes trips. Lack of adequate social interaction is linked to dementia. By using social interaction to achieve mindfulness, residents with dementia enjoy a fuller life than when left alone at home.
By getting involved in several craft classes, discussion times, and socially integrating mindfulness, residents and their relatives see remarkable improvements in behavior, mental health, and even physical well-being.
Physical Health
Exercise is important for the mind. Physical activity slows down the process of aging and improves mental health. It’s been highly recommended when dealing with mental care.
By incorporating exercises that encourage mindfulness, residents with dementia have been found to improve significantly. Group exercises both train the mind and encourage social interactions. By incorporating active independent living into programs, residents with dementia enjoy the full benefits of reduced dependence.
When discussing physical health, most people instantly reflect on going to the gym, doing mat exercises, and possibly jogging. Studies have shown that reduced dependence greatly improves the body’s strength and positively affects the mind. By encouraging independence as a tool for mindfulness, residents enjoy an optimal state of physical health.
In conclusion, mindfulness is a therapeutic approach to memory care and is greatly valuable for people with dementia. In our retirement community, residents with dementia fare better by enjoying these benefits of mindfulness training.
