Research shows that there are many benefits to mindfulness. This is true for people of any age, including aging adults.  From lowering stress and anxiety to coping better with everyday challenges of life, mindfulness can have a positive impact on your wellbeing. The idea is to be present in the here and now rather than ruminating about the past or fretting about the future.

Practicing Mindfulness Through Meditation

One way to practice mindfulness is through a grounding meditation technique.   This simple approach can connect us with the experience of our body and what we sense.  It is a great way to start or end your day, or to take a break and celebrate life with self-reflection and self-care.

Friends Life Care‘s Director of Wellness Initiatives has created this wonderful 10-Minute Grounding Meditation video for you to try.  View it on the Friends Life Care YouTube Channel.

 

Successful Aging — Aging in Place

Are you a Friends Life Care member with questions about how to include mindfulness and meditation in your life? Ask your Wellness and Care Coordinator for ideas on doing so in a way that maximizes the experience for you.

Aging in place — living independently at home as you age — is something that the high majority of older adults want to do. Therefore, focusing on your holistic health, wellbeing and prevention are important things that you can do to help make successful aging your reality.

Contributed by:

Katie Starrantino, LCSW, M.Ed, CDP — Director of Wellness Initiatives
(she/her)

Katie has been working in the medical field for 10 years.  During this time she has assisted in meeting the psychosocial needs of individuals living with cancer, rehabilitation patients, nursing home residents, primary care patients and individuals with a dementia diagnosis.

Katie is a licensed clinical social worker who holds a masters degree in social work from West Chester University.  In addition, she has a masters degree in human sexuality from Widener University.  She is a certified dementia practitioner. And she is also trained to teach the Alzheimer’s Association’s Person Centered Habilitation Training curriculum.

Katie developed and carried out various wellness programs for non-profit organizations, aimed at keeping patients feeling their best. Katie enjoys forming relationships with her members and assisting to keep them to be happy and healthy.