You might be happy to find out that meditation for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease is highly recommended by medical doctors and healthcare professionals. This ancient therapy has been used for thousands of years to bring peace and serenity to the mind. Meditation doesn’t only have spiritual benefits, it can also have physiological benefits too.
For example, it has been discovered that meditation is beneficial for people who are diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Keep reading to find out the benefits and why you should recommend it to your loved ones.
Stops the Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease causes memory problems, slurred speech, inability to recognize friendly faces or remember the home address, etc. This happens because the connections between neurons are deteriorated. Fortunately, meditation seems to bring peace to the mind and strengthen these connections. It also reduces the amount of stress hormones being generated by the body and this can alleviate the symptoms commonly associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
It Might Improve Memory
At the same time, regular practice of meditation releases a host of “feel-good” hormones and endorphins that might improve memory function. The brain works based on various substances such as hormones, chemicals, and neurotransmitters. Meditation can enhance the release of positive substances while decreasing the release of stress hormones. In the long run, your loved ones might be able to sleep better, talk better, and even have an improved ability to remember things.
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Meditating regularly for around 15-20 minutes a day can also reduce the feelings of stress and anxiety. The amygdala is a small organ situated inside the brain. A hyperactive amygdala is associated with increased feelings of restlessness, anxiety and depression. Meditation can make the amygdala be less active and this will automatically reduce feelings of anxiety and restlessness. This is also true for people in their golden age who are looking to get rid of negative feelings such as sadness, depression, loneliness, and more.
Improves Immune Function
Another great benefit of meditation consists of its ability to improve the immune function. The immune system is always trying to keep you healthy as it fights bacteria and viruses. However, its function can be reduced by various factors and being overly stressed is one of them. Cortisol, the main stress hormone, can significantly reduce immune function and predispose your loved ones to diseases.
On the other hand, meditation reduces the release of cortisol and it improves immune function if it’s practiced for long periods of time. As a result, your family members will be less vulnerable to common colds, the flu, and other types of diseases including chronic ones such as diabetes.
Meditation has always been the activity of choice for those who want to improve their health, wellbeing and state of mind. At Discovery Commons at Wildewood, we believe that this activity can also help your loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Contact one of our team members today to learn more about how meditation can positively impact the life of your family members.
