Meditation

"A study from Carnegie Mellow University finds that when older folks do mindful meditation, they become less lonely, which reduces their risk of health problems." Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen

In citing the above statistics, Dr. Oz and Roizen suggest meditation for persons living in assisted living.  They suggest that perhaps a group of people in assisted living could together do meditation.  They give 5 steps:  1.  Sit together in a quiet room, making sure everyone is comfortable.  2. Close eyes, breathe slowly in and out.  3.  Gently tense your toes as you breathe in and relax them as you breathe out.  Repeat this tense-and-relax moving slowly up your body to your face.  4.  Try to keep your mind blank.  Expel thoughts along with your breath on the count of 1-2-3.   5.  Now sit peacefully for 5 minutes.  Breathe in and out.  Let your mind release thoughts. 

Since loneliness is revealed to be a factor in older folks, according to an AARP survey, meditation is a good tool for you and perhaps for your care receiver.