Effectiveness of relaxation therapy on psychological physiological and bio chemical variables among elderly residing at old age homes

Abstract

A study to assess the effectiveness of relaxation therapy on psychophysiological newlineand biochemical variables among elderly residing at selected newlinehomes for the aged, (Ernakulam District, Kerala). newlineThe aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of newlinerelaxation therapy on psycho-physiological and biochemical variables among newlineelderly residing at selected homes for the aged.The results of the study reveal that the newlineimplementation of the combined relaxation therapy designed by the newlineresearcher is beneficial to the elderly in addressing many of their health newlineissues and bringing about a general wellbeing. The immediate and urgent newlineneed to reduce the psycho-physiological problems of the elderly is a task that newlinehas to be undertaken as we are planning for a long term goal of addressing newlinethe issues of an ageing population. The socio-economic changes sweeping newlineacross the age-old family system together with an alarming rate of population newlineageing are pushing the elderly to seek shelter in old age homes that are newlineequipped with little or minimum facilities. These have made the introduction newlineof relaxation techniques more relevant and timely for a generation that looks newlineup to us for help. The needs and problems of the elderly vary significantly newlineaccording to their age, socio-economic status, health, living status and other newlinesuch background characteristics. The study disclosed that with a short span of four months a newlinesubstantial modification could be brought into the psycho physiological status newlineof the elderly in the homes for the aged through the administration of newlinerelaxation therapy. As the study progressed the participants were found more newlineenergetic, outgoing, friendly and began taking added interest in the activities newlineof daily living and self-care. The behaviour pattern turned to be more stable newlinewith positive thinking, consistency in speech and better capacity in controlling newlineemotions.Requests were made by some participants to include this therapy newlineinto the routines of their daily schedule and intimation is given to the newlineadministrators.