Mindfulness Meditation and Dementia: Experience the Benefits

We may not always be aware of it, but our way of relating to life is dependent on our way of relating to time. Breakfast comes before lunch and dinner, for example. If we haven’t already shopped for food in preparation, we know we’ll have to take care of that need before those meals. On a deeper level, our past experiences help to develop our personalities, and they provide a context for how we relate to people, places, and things around us—and how we relate to ourselves.

We may not always be aware of it, but our way of relating to life is dependent on our way of relating to time. Breakfast comes before lunch and dinner, for example. If we haven’t already shopped for food in preparation, we know we’ll have to take care of that need before those meals. On a deeper level, our past experiences help to develop our personalities, and they provide a context for how we relate to people, places, and things around us—and how we relate to ourselves.
When older adults experience symptoms of dementia, they may lose touch with this experiential foundation. They may be living in the same place and cycling through the same routines they have been for years, but they feel lost. As loved ones and caregivers, we can help to remind them of the memories they’re struggling to access. But it may be more than just the memories they are grasping for. It may be the ability to relate that they long for even more.
Mindfulness meditation and dementia have one very important thing in common: They are strongly linked to the present moment. In fact, mindfulness practices can help our aging loved ones embody their strengths rather than focus on perceived weaknesses. Put another way, our time-sensitive perspective isn’t always a positive asset because the past and the future very often distract us away from the present. With all of this in mind, mindfulness meditation is great for older adults with dementia and for caregivers, as well—it’s great to do together!

Mindfulness Meditation Helps Adults with Dementia Accept and Be Where They Are

It’s hard to imagine how frustrating it is for an older adult with dementia to lose track of their sense of time and self. As a caregiver, when you’re already faced with a collection of diverse challenges, an older adult’s confusion can be frustrating. In those moments, you’re both feeling frustration in different ways, and an older adult with dementia may feel even more isolated because confusion and resentment are caught up in a feedback loop between you.
It’s probably much less helpful to try fitting the dementia patient back into an outdated way of experiencing life (through memories and the linear passage of time) and much more helpful to work with what you do have: this moment together.
For that purpose, we’ve developed a simple and relaxing meditation practice that encourages you both to be right where you are. The exercise will challenge both of you in different ways, but it will be powerfully important that you’re both doing it together. The ability to relate to the present is something you both have, and what you do have is more important than what you don’t.
Begin 10-minute mindfulness meditation practice

Living with Dementia, Acting with Mindfulness

When aging adults with dementia begin to live more fully in the moment, they set a powerful daily example for the rest of us. When we can reframe our perspective, we may see that what is bothering and burdening us is really in the past or in the future, not in the present. So, why are we giving it so much of our present attention and energy? And why are we choosing to miss what is really happening right now because we’re crowding right now with back then or later on?
What we all have right now is the present moment. By supporting the aging adult in your care to accept and embrace what they are feeling and experiencing right now, you are honoring what is most real and powerful for both of you. This short, guided meditation is just the beginning of living a life in which we are more present with ourselves and each other. Even though age is a product of time, it doesn’t have to be bound by it if we allow ourselves to be mindful to the only moment that exists now.
Institute on Aging provides resources and services that empower aging adults to live gracefully and independently. You can check out our blog for more helpful articles and our comprehensive and personalized programs for neighbors in our community. For more information, reach out to us today.
Guided Meditation Music: “Relaxing,” BenSound.com

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Three and a half years ago, Maggie Fang started her journey as an Assessment Specialist in the Support at Home Program at IOA. Her excellent people skills enabled her to manage a caseload of older adults and individuals with disabilities, helping them receive homecare to age in place. Maggie was selected to pioneer the Temporary Respite Caregiver Support program, and we are delighted to have such a skilled and dedicated individual leading our newest program at IOA. Thank you, Maggie, for your exceptional work! 

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Join us at the Adult Day Program at the Enrichment Center as Caregiver Coach Alex shares with us the incredible support and care provided to participants living with dementia. Clients enjoy various engaging activities, from music therapy to art classes, designed to stimulate their cognitive and physical abilities. The skilled staff at the Enrichment Center also provides caregivers with much-needed support and respite, allowing them to take a break and attend to their needs. If you or someone you know is looking for support in caring for a loved one with dementia, the Adult Day Program at the Enrichment Center in the Presidio is an excellent resource for you! 

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At Insitute on Aging, we are committed to attracting and retaining top talent, and we are incredibly fortunate to have Manuel Martinez on our team. With his extensive expertise in housing and community resources, Manuel has been an invaluable asset to our organization. Recently, he was promoted to the role of Assessment Specialist II in our Adults with Disabilities - Home Delivered Meals program. In addition to managing a caseload, Manuel has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and has become an expert in program management. We are grateful for Manuel's unwavering commitment to IOA and the community we serve. Thank you, Manuel, for your dedication and passion in making a difference in the lives of others. 
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Patty has dedicated her career and volunteer efforts to support older adults and adults with disabilities in San Francisco. As the Resident Services Coordinator for Institute on Aging's Support in Independent Living program, Patty wears many hats to ensure that the 120+ residents of Martin Luther Towers Senior Housing can age in place comfortably. Her talent for connecting individuals with resources has enabled her to go above and beyond to ensure accessibility and inclusivity for all. Patty's commitment to her work has been unwavering, and we are grateful to have her on our team at IOA. 

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