Date of Paper

5-2015

Type of Paper

Clinical research paper

Degree Name

Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)

Department

Social Work

First Advisor

Katharine Hill, Ph.D., LISW

Department/School

Social Work

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. This is a progressive disease with no cure. Are there interventions available to give individuals with Alzheimer’s disease hope? One such intervention is the use of Mindfulness practices. The purpose of this research is to explore how professionals working with individuals with Alzheimer’s disease use mindfulness in their practice and what the benefits of using mindfulness may be. Using a qualitative design, three participant were interviewed who use mindfulness with individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. The data was analyze using inductive coding of the research. Four themes were identified. These included, benefits of the use of mindfulness with AD, lowering distress and stress in individuals with AD when using mindfulness practices, the stages of AD that would benefit from mindfulness, and the training and education needed on mindfulness when working with individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. The use of mindfulness practices offers hope to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. The research on mindfulness practice is reality new and more research is needed. As our country continues to get older and more individuals develop Alzheimer’s disease more research on effective treatment options is needed.

Included in

Social Work Commons

COinS