Resources for Aging

Agencies, Organizations, and Resources 
Created to Enhance and Inform the  Experience of Aging

A directory of government agencies and nonprofit organizations that serve the needs of older Americans.   All agencies and organizations included offer services to older adults for free or nearly free.  Resources included are applicable to older adults within the United States except those resources offered to residents of specific geographic localities (city, county, and state) by the corresponding government agencies.  No fees were paid by any entity for inclusion in this guide and no "for profit" entities are included. This is an evolving work, suggestions for agencies and organizations appropriate for inclusion are welcome. 

A copy of the guide is available below.  Please share the information included with anyone you believe would benefit. 

The Resource Guide (2016)
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Note: This file is formatted for double sided printing on letter sized paper. 
Copyright © 2016 by Nadine Lukes-Dyer
doi:10.13140/RG.2.1.2613.0320.
Reproduction of any part of this book for noncommercial purposes is freely given. If  you reproduce portions of the file or reference it please you the following citation:
Lukes-Dyer, N. (2016).  Agencies, Organizations, and Resources Created to Enhance and Inform the Experience of Aging. doi:10.13140/RG.2.1.2613.0320.  

Kirtan Kriya (KK) Meditation

There are a number of factors that can promote changes in cognitive function.  However, as we grow older we tend to attribute changes such as memory loss to aging and therefore accept them.  In recent years, numerous research articles have indicated that various forms of meditation have been associated with improved cognition and memory, potentially reducing the influence of age and other factors (Jindal, Gupta, & Das, 2013).  Research conducted by Newberg, Wintering, Khalsa, and Roggenkamp (2010), using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans found increased brain activity following 8 weeks of Kirtan Kriya (KK) meditation.  Jindal, Gupta, and Das (2013) suggested a neurobiological explanation as to the role of meditation (in general) in relation to brain activity and subsequent cognition and memory benefits.
 
Kirtan Kriya (KK) meditation is easily performed method of meditation that involves touching a specified finger to the thumb while saying the corresponding sound out loud, silently, or as a whisper for a period of 12 minutes.   Consisting of 5 segments, KK meditation is explained below.   Additionally, 2 recordings are available to minimize distraction relative to adhering to the allotted time for each stage.  Per the research of Newberg, et al., (2010) it is recommended that the result is performed daily for a minimum of 8 weeks. 

Jindal, V., Gupta, S., & Das, R. (2013). Molecular mechanisms of meditation. Molecular Neurobiology, 48(3), 808-11. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12035-013-8468-9
 
Newberg, A. B., Wintering, N., Khalsa, D. S., Roggenkamp, H., & Waldman, M. R. (2010). Meditation effects on cognitive function and cerebral blood flow in subjects with memory loss: A preliminary Study. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 20(2), 517. doi:10.3233/JAD-2010-1391

​Kirtan Kriya (KK) Meditation Instructions

Segment 1
Say the sounds out loud in your normal speaking voice for 2 minutes

1. Press your index finger to your thumb while saying “Sa”
2. Press your middle finger to your thumb while saying “Ta”
3. Press your ring finger to your thumb while saying “Na”
4. Press your pinky finger to your thumb while saying “Ma”
5. Repeat steps 1 – 4 for the remainder of the two minutes

Segment 2
Say the sounds in a whisper tone for 2 minutes

1. Press your index finger to your thumb while saying “Sa”
2. Press your middle finger to your thumb while saying “Ta”
3. Press your ring finger to your thumb while saying “Na”
4. Press your pinky finger to your thumb while saying “Ma”
5. Repeat steps 1 – 4 for the remainder of the two minutes

Segment 3
Say the sounds silently (be sure to move your mouth) for 4 minutes

1. Press your index finger to your thumb while saying “Sa”
2. Press your middle finger to your thumb while saying “Ta”
3. Press your ring finger to your thumb while saying “Na”
4. Press your pinky finger to your thumb while saying “Ma”
5. Repeat steps 1 – 4 for the remainder of the four minutes

Segment 4
Say the sounds in a whisper tone for 2 minutes

1. Press your index finger to your thumb while saying “Sa”
2. Press your middle finger to your thumb while saying “Ta”
3. Press your ring finger to your thumb while saying “Na”
4. Press your pinky finger to your thumb while saying “Ma”
5. Repeat steps 1 – 4 for the remainder of the two minutes

Segment 5
Say the sounds out loud in your normal speaking voice for 2 minutes

1. Press your index finger to your thumb while saying “Sa”
2. Press your middle finger to your thumb while saying “Ta”
3. Press your ring finger to your thumb while saying “Na”
4. Press your pinky finger to your thumb while saying “Ma”
5. Repeat steps 1 – 4 for the remainder of the two minutes

Below is an audio file that you can download to guide you through the 5 segments of KK meditation.

kirtan_kriya_meditation_audio_guide.wma
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File Type:	wma

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