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.
Recommended Citation
Hemmesch, Gina L.. (2015). Exploring the Use of Mindfulness with Individuals Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website: https://sophia.stkate.edu/msw_papers/462