Ellen Winslow Final Health Promotion Project MHLTHSCI574 Health Promotion and Optimal Aging Dec. 16, 2014
MINDFUL AGING
U.S. Population by age group Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 Population Estimates and 2012 National Projections.
Healthy People Initiative ▪ According to the National Report Card on Healthy Aging only 36% of the objectives for the year 2010 would be met. ▪ Older Americans were falling far short of the 2010 target goals for physical activity and obesity. Haber,(2013)
Successful aging Engagement with life Avoiding disease and disability High cognitive and physical function Rowe & Kahn, (1997)
Harmonious Aging Balanced outlook Inter- relationships Dialectic discourse Individual health Liang & Luo,( 2012)
Mindful Aging Key Elements Mindful aging MindfulnessHarmonyAttitude Coping strategies Spirit
Mindfulness “ Mindfulness – paying attention and looking deeply into oneself in the spirit of self-inquiry and self-understanding” (Kabat-Zinn, 1990).
Building blocks of mindfulness (Martins, 2012) IntentionAttentionAttitude
Focus on gains Cultivate positive perspective Acceptance Attitude
Acceptance Jon Kabat-Zinn
Life Review Mind Body Stress Reduction Spend time in nature Coping Strategies
Find your own meaning of spirituality Meaning – purpose – hope Take time to reflect – pray - meditate Spirit
Aging as a Spiritual Practice Lewis Richmond
Individual identity Dynamic concept Activity and contemplation Harmony
Conclusion Harmonize all aspects of life Dynamic balance
References Baltes, P. B., & Smith, J. (2003). New frontiers in the future of aging: From successful aging of the young old to the dilemmas of the fourth age. Gerontology, 49(2), Retrieved from Buettner, D. (2012). The blue zones: 9 lessons for living longer. Washington D. C., National Geographic Society. Crowther, M. R, Parker, M. W, Achenbaum, W A, Larimore, W. L., Koenig, H. G., (2002). Rowe and Kahn's model of successful aging revisited: Positive spirituality--The forgotten factor. The Gerontologist 42(5), Depp, C. A., & Jeste, D. V. (2006). Definitions and predictors of successful aging: A comprehensive review of larger quantitative studies. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 14(1), Retrieved from Grossman, P., Niemann, L., Schmidt, S., & Walach, H. (2004). Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health benefits: A meta-analysis. Journal Of Psychosomatic Research, 57(1), doi: /S (03) Haber, D. (2013). Health promotion and aging: Practical applications for health professionals. New York, NY. Spring Publishing. Jere, D. (1994, Sept. 01). Learning to love growing old. Psychology today. Retrieved from
References Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full catastrophe living: Using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain, and illness. New York, NY. Dell Publishing. Kabat-Zinn, J. (2013, Sept. 12). Mindfulness – Acceptance. Retrieved from Liang, J. & Luo, B. (2012) Toward a discourse shift in social gerontology: From successful aging to harmonious aging. Journal of Aging Studies –334. Martins, C. A. R. (2012). Silent healing: Mindfulness-based stress reduction program for older adults (Order No ). Available from ProQuest Central; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Full Text; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. ( ). Retrieved from McCarthy, V. L., Ling, J., & Carini, R. M. (2013). The role of self-transcendence: A missing variable in the pursuit of successful aging? Research in Gerontological Nursing, 6(3), doi: Reichstadt, J., Sengupta, G., Depp, C. A., Palinkas, L. A., & Jeste, D. V. (2010). Older adults' perspectives on successful aging: Qualitative interviews. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18(7), Retrieved from
References Richmond, L. (2012). Aging as a spiritual practice. New York, NY. Gotham Books. Richmond, L. (2011, Oct. 21). Aging as a spiritual practice. Retrieved from Rowe, J. W. & Kahn, R. L. (1997). Successful Aging. The Gerontologist 37(4), Stahl, B. & Goldstein, E. (2010). A mindfulness-based stress reduction workbook. Oakland, CA. New Harbinger Publishing. Turner, K. (2010). The promotion of successful aging through mindfulness skills training. Retrieved from Walsh, R. (2011). Lifestyle and mental health. American psychologist. 66(7) DOI: /a
The good news Increase in life expectancy: more people live longer Substantial latent potential for better fitness Successive cohorts (generations) show gains in physical and mental fitness Evidence of cognitive-emotional reserves of the aging mind High levels of emotional and personal well-being Effective strategies to master the gains and losses of later life Bates & Smith, (2003)