KENNETT SQUARE >> When most people hear the words mindfulness meditation, many instinctually think of millennials in their 20s or 30s, sipping coffee and breathing deeply with their eyes closed. But mindfulness meditation isnt just for millennials; its a practice that is changing the lives of seniors for the better.

Participation in a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program and research study organized by the Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine at Jefferson and sponsored by Friends Foundation for Aging has transformed the lives of a group of residents at Kendal-Crosslands Communities, a Life Plan Community, also known as a Continuing Care Retirement Community, in Kennett Square.

Its been life-changing, says Terri Rusten, a Kendal-Crosslands resident who participated in the study. I feel more peaceful, not as anxious. I have full nights of sleep now, which I didnt have before.

The study is designed to look for the effects of participating in a MBSR program and its relation to health and quality of life in older adults; things like cognitive function, anxiety, depression, and sleep patterns, says program director, Diane Reibel, Ph.D., Director of the Mindfulness Institute at Jefferson.

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As residents went through the 8-week program, organizers collected biomarkers of stress in the participants with saliva samples and even looked at brain function with MRI brain scans. The results of this quantitative data are still being analyzed.

There has been some evidence in other populations that there is a change in brain structure and function after just 8 weeks of MBSR, in areas associated with cognitive function and emotion regulation, but there has been little research done in older adults, said Reibel

Participants in the study are already seeing the impact of mindfulness in their daily lives. In qualitative interviews, participants are reporting many benefits, including improvement in vitality, interpersonal relationships, sleep and anxiety.

I find that I think more before I speak, Im more conscious of being kind and compassionate, and Im more aware of the things that people say and do, says Barbara Pusey, another program participant.

Resident Patricia Dewey says, Ive had migraine headaches for years and meditation has helped to reduce the pain. The whole experience has been very beneficial for reducing all the stress that you find with aging. I really would recommend mindfulness to anyone. Its great for stress reduction, pain management, and just feeling good about yourself.

Participants from the program continue to meet every other week to practice mindfulness meditation together, knowing that the benefits are innumerable. Residents have been motivated to practice mindfulness on their own in small groups, which shows that they really are seeing the benefits, and want to continue the practice, says Reibel.

We are so happy to have the opportunity to bring in Jeffersons Mindfulness Institute. This program is something that connects to our Quaker value of simplicity, and has truly brought something really beneficial to our community, says Kathleen McAleer, Director of Social Services for the Kendal campus. Ive practiced meditation for more than 20 years and recognize the benefits it has provided to me in my life, and the great benefits for the older adults I serve.

The study is in the middle of its second round of participants, with 26 participating in the first group, and 24 participating in the second group. This program was made possible through a grant from Friends Foundation for Aging.

The Kendal-Crosslands Communities are a Quaker-directed continuing care retirement community (CCRC) with two charming campuses. Located in the beautiful and historic Brandywine Valley of Chester County, Kendal-Crosslands Communities are a welcoming place infused with the traditional Quaker values of integrity, care and respect. Learn more at http://kcc.kendal.org/.

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Kendal-Crosslands seniors benefitting from meditation program - Daily Local News