Psychological Well-Being of the Elderly through Meditation

Aging has been viewed differently by different people. Whereas to some it means power, authority, wisdom and respect, others consider it as a forced retirement leading to a state of dependency, loss of charm and of physical strength. To most, aging implies physiological and psychosocial changes that are reflected in their reduced income, lesser activities, and consequential loss of status, both in the family and in the society. In recent past, family was looked upon as the only institution to take care of the elderly and provide both emotional and financial support to them. But changes in the living arrangements and family structure, migration of children for jobs outside, and more prominently, radical changes in the nature of people from accommodative to an independent, self-centered, and individualistic outlook with callous concern for even very near relations, have compelled many old people to live alone. It appears that the changing family structure has affected the well-being of the elderly by depriving them of the familial support of a traditional joint family set up as well as improving upon them to adjust to the changing values and norms of the younger generation. In the present century, spirituality and religion have become welcome topics for health professionals in general and for mental health professionals in particular. There is a quest to integrate religion and spirituality with human behaviour.