Meditation and dementia

Mrmeaning · #1 07-11-2019, 04:46 PM

Can meditation help people living with dementia? (Thinking that it could, I tried to interest the UK Alzheimer’s Society and Buddhist groups interested, with no success.) It occurred to me that since Buddhism teaches that we are not our minds (and doesn't complicate things with God), a short guided mindfulness session might help those clinging to the wreckage of their disintegrating minds to let go, follow their breath, and float for a while in the ocean of bliss, or thereabouts.

iamthat · #2 07-11-2019, 05:07 PM

An interesting idea in theory, but it is hard to imagine people with Alzheimer's being able to put it into practice.

Instead of attempting mindfulness meditation, perhaps meditation on music would be more effective. Music therapy has been tried with Alzheimer's patients and it does seem to help.

Peace.

#3 07-11-2019, 05:18 PM

My mom suffered from Alzheimer’s and it's doubtful she could have executed or maintained a formal practice, and especially as the disease progressed.

The music therapy sounds like a really good idea and there is mindfulness of sound. I wonder if that could be implemented in an informal way?

sky · #4 07-11-2019, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrmeaning

Can meditation help people living with dementia? (Thinking that it could, I tried to interest the UK Alzheimer’s Society and Buddhist groups interested, with no success.) It occurred to me that since Buddhism teaches that we are not our minds (and doesn't complicate things with God), a short guided mindfulness session might help those clinging to the wreckage of their disintegrating minds to let go, follow their breath, and float for a while in the ocean of bliss, or thereabouts.

I worked for many years with People with Dementia and lost my Mum and recently my only Sibling to this horrible disease, they would never be able to meditate.

Music is the up-and-coming Therapy that is being introduced into their care and treatment. Dancing when able and soft exercise is also successful and showing very good results in enhancing the quality of life for a sufferer.

Mrmeaning · #5 07-11-2019, 05:27 PM

With constant guidance it should be possible, I'd have thought. Yes, music gets through, but it stimulates memory. Simple mindfulness could perhaps allow people living with dementia to let go of the struggle with mind and memory, for a short while at least.

sky · #6 07-11-2019, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrmeaning

With constant guidance it should be possible, I'd have thought. Yes, music gets through, but it stimulates memory. Simple mindfulness could perhaps allow people living with dementia to let go of the struggle with mind and memory, for a short while at least.

You cannot guide someone with Alzheimer's as it progresses, maybe in it's very early stages.

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/...s-and-dementia

Mrmeaning · #7 07-11-2019, 06:00 PM

They're already breathing...

#8 07-11-2019, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrmeaning

They're already breathing...

My mom couldn't even remember my name regardless how many times myself and others reminded her. I became 'The big guy'. I don't see how she could remember the basics of practice.

Mrmeaning · #9 07-11-2019, 06:16 PM

Memory wouldn't be involved - that's the point. Being constantly guided to follow your breath needs no memory.

#10 07-11-2019, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrmeaning

Memory wouldn't be involved - that's the point. Being constantly guided to follow your breath needs no memory.

Besides, it takes a LOT of practice to get to the point where one experiences a deep meditative state for any length of time.

I'm sorry, but it's just not reality.