Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2017

DOI

10.25270/altc.2017.10.00003

Publication Title

Annals of Long-Term Care

Volume

25

Issue

5

Pages

33-38

Abstract

With the growing number of older persons with chronic illnesses, the demand for professionals who can provide complex care is increasing as well. However, evidence shows that health professionals’ burnout rate has been consistently increasing for the last 3 decades. In an effort to alleviate some of the issues associated with caregiver burnout, we conducted mind-body training of self-compassion for professional caregivers at an Alzheimer disease (AD) specialty center for 5 weeks. The intervention combined seven simple centering movements of tai chi and qigong in a context of mettā (loving kindness meditation) language mindfulness. Data showed significant improvements in caregiver Mindful Self Compassion, Psychological Social Well-being, General Self-Efficacy, and Positive and Negative Experience scales. In the context of improving health care delivery, the understanding that offering loving kindness to oneself increases compassion for others has significant implications, as it intertwines personal and professional development together. A research trajectory for future studies is suggested, which may lead to a practical self-care intervention for health care professionals.

Comments

Posted with the kind permission of the Population Health Learning Network.

Original Publication Citation

Alperson, S., & Fowler, C. (2017). Holistic self-care: Tai chi, qigong training for caregivers at an alzheimer disease assisted living facility. Annals of Long-Term Care, 25(5), 33-38. doi:10.25270/altc.2017.10.00003

ORCID

0000-0001-7543-4303 (Fowler)

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