Transcript Yoga for Seniors: A qualitative exploration

Yoga for Seniors: A qualitative exploration
Brandon M. Eggleston,
1College
Significance
•Older adults (65 years of age and older) are one of the fastest
growing populations in the United States (US Census Bureau, 2008).
•Yoga is activity that can increase balance and flexibility and thus
possibly decrease the number of falls among older adults.
Methods
•Fifteen health professionals (nurses, nurse practitioners, yoga
instructors, and yoga therapists) were interviewed about their
attitudes and opinions of older adults practicing yoga.
*Questions (open and close ended) regarding the benefits of
yoga for older adults
*Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim
*Descriptive content analysis strategies were used to identify
and categorize the behavioral determinants
*Themes included:
-Some seniors may believe they cannot do yoga poses
-Some older adults may view yoga as a strange religious
practice that threatens their belief system
-Chair yoga is an effective and common form of yoga
, Katie Ehlman,
1
PhD
of Nursing & Health Professions, University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, Indiana
Purpose
•The purpose of study was to explore and identify the
attitudes and beliefs of clinical health professionals and
yoga therapists regarding yoga for older adults.
1
PhD
Frequencies
Concern/Barrier
Demographics
% (n)
Fitness level
80% (12)
Mobility
60% (9)
Demographic
Variable
High Blood Pressure
40% (6)
Age
Glaucoma
20% (3)
Race
Benefit/Program
Statistic
Mean = 53.8,
SD = 5.5
95% Caucasian
% (n)
Increase balance
80% (12)
Increase well-being
93% (14)
Chair Yoga/Modified Yoga
67% (10)
Increase relaxation
73% (11)
Gender
Position
90% Female
53% Nursing
60% Yoga,
33% Yoga Therapy
Responses
Sources
Bennett, G. (2007, December). The benefits of yoga for older adults. Nursing & Residential Care,
9(12), 575-578.
Bonura, K. (2008). The Impact of Yoga on Psychological Health in Older Adults. Exercise
and Sport Psychology Division 47 APA Newsletter, Fall 2008.
Brown, K., Koziol, J., & Lotz, M. (2008). A yoga-based exercise program to reduce the risk of
falls in seniors: a pilot and feasibility study. Journal of Alternative And
Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.), 14(5), 454-457. Retrieved from MEDLINE
database.
Kuei-Min Chen1, Wei-Shyuan Tseng2, Li-Fen Ting3 & Gwo-Feng Huang4 Development and
evaluation of a yoga exercise programme for older adults. 2007 The Authors. Journal
compilation (432-441).
Russakonoff, D. (2010). The New Old Age. New York Times, Aug 5, 2010. Retrieved from
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/05/yogas-newest-fans/
U.S. Census Bureau (2008, n.d.). An older and more diverse nation by mid-century. Retrieved
from http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb08-123.html
Results of a National Survey. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 19:43-50.
Williamson, T. (2008, September). Baby boomers in transition. Working with Older People:
Community Care Policy & Practice, 12 (3), 15-18.
Conclusions
“Yoga is beneficial to people of all ages. Seniors can improve their balance and
that makes them less likely to fall.” –Yoga therapist/instructor
•More health care professionals should be educated
about yoga programs for older adults.
“I would not recommend yoga to any older adult because they may have health
problems. Yoga is only for those who are young and somewhat fit. Not senior
citizens.” –Nurse practitioner (non-practicing yogi).
•Yoga therapists who teach modified yoga programs for
older adults such as chair yoga need to partner with
more gerontology primary care physicians.
“I have classes for older adults and they love there yoga. They come every week
and we meet in the church basement. I don’t ‘ohm’ with them, but they love
every other part of the practice.”
“Master yogis for centuries were predominantly individuals who would be
classified today as older adults. They were able to maintain an advanced
physical practice and hold headstands for many, many minutes at a time.”
Acknowledgements
This project was made possible with the assistance of Willow
Park Retirement Center, the Evansville Housing Authority, the
Evansville Central Public Library, the Evansville Yoga Center,
the Health Services Program and the College of Nursing Health
Professions at the University of Southern Indiana, the Major as
Home Grant at USI, and the USI RISC/Endeavor Grant.