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| Many elderly people are starved for a gentle touch. |
Human touch provides amazing
benefits to the aged and has been used since ancient times to relieve
discomfort in the body, mind and the soul.
A simple caress or gentle massage can make an enormous difference in the
physical, emotional and psychological well-being of people of all ages, yet for
the elderly is can be especially helpful in relieving pain, reducing anxieties
and warding off loneliness.
Touch is a natural and therapeutic
way of interacting with the elderly. Yet
according to leaders in touch therapy, the elderly are often denied touch and
its life-enhancing benefits. In fact the
majority of residents living in facilities designed for the elderly are rarely
touched outside the hands of those who care for them. Ashley Montagu, author of TOUCHING,
says that people are “unwilling to face the facts of aging” and so shy away
from the elderly, failing to recognize their need for physical contact. One only has to notice an elder’s response to
a hug or caress to understand how important the tactile stimulation of touching
is for their well-being. Many elderly
people are starved for a gentle touch.
Massage is natural and
efficient way of administering touch to the elderly. It is an effective complimentary therapy to
traditional and conventional treatments for the many physical ailments
associated with aging. The physical benefits of massage for the elderly
include:
·
Restores
range of motion - Arthritis and osteoporosis stiffen and cripple the aged, but
massage softens tight muscles and restores natural joint lubrication increasing
mobility. Massage also aids in
increasing muscle strength and coordination.
·
Reduces
high blood pressure - Massage improves lymph and blood circulation and relieves
the tension that often leads to high blood pressure. Better circulation increases the amount of
oxygen flowing to muscles and cells and effectively removes toxins from the
body. Lower blood pressure reduces
stress on the heart.
·
Relieves
pain – The gentle pressure of massage can decrease the need for pain
medications. By temporarily blocking
pain nerve signals and encouraging the release of endorphins, massage can
reduce pain and in some cases eliminate it completely. Massage is extensively used for
rehabilitation after surgery to hasten the healing process.
·
Improves
sleep and mental clarity – Massage helps combat insomnia and other sleep
problems that are common among the aged.
Cognitive functions are improved as massage temporarily interrupts
patterns of stress, giving the elderly more clarity and control over their
situations.
·
Assists
in skin preservation – Massage has long been used in preventing pressure sores
and bed sores. Combined with oils or
lotions, massage soothes dry and rough skin.
·
Aids
in digestion – Massage increases appetites as well as assists with the
digestion and elimination processes.
·
Manages
stress – Aging has its own stressors, including illness, depression, and
anxiety, all of which can be alleviated by the healing power of massage.
·
Diminishes
dementia – Massage, even a simple hand massage, has been shown to diminish the
agitation and confusion experiences by individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s
disease. The calming effect of massage
restores a sense of well-being and aids in facilitating communication for those
who live with dementia.
·
Releases
emotions – Massage can be a powerful tool in allowing an aged person let go of
long suppressed emotions. By bringing
feelings to surface through touch, many people are able to talk about issues
they had been unable to discuss previously.
·
Alleviates
loneliness – The physical contact of massage reassures the aged that they are
not alone. The process of caressing and touching reinforces the idea of human
connection by giving one-on-one attention to the aged. A gentle and caring touch can address major
quality of life issues, such as depression, feelings of isolation, lack of
self-esteem, fear and anxiety.
Massage
for the elderly requires special care and those who provide it should have
special training. Fragile skin and
bones, pain medications and multiple medical conditions must be taken into consideration
before providing massage. Avoid deep
muscle massage and vigorous movements, as they may not be safe for the elderly.
When performing massage on an elderly person, it is important to listen to
their desires as well as their nonverbal communication or body language, to
determine what kind of massage they prefer and how much pressure to use. Find a massage therapist who specializes massage for the elderly to provide the healing power of gentle touch for your loved one.
Kate McCarthy is
Director of Operations for HomeAid Health Care which provides non-medical home
services for the elderly who wish to remain safe and independent at home. HomeAid is a sister company to Prairie Home
Assisted Living which has served the
physical, spiritual, mental and health needs of their residents since
1999. Together the two companies provide
comprehensive care that meets the needs of the elderly in the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin.
Sources:
www.livestrong.com
“Massage Therapy Benefits for the Elderly” by Kristie Jernigan. Retrieved 9/15/12.
Montagu, Ashley. “Touching” New York, NY. Continuum, 1999.
www.amtamassage.org
“Massage in Hospices” by Dawn Nelson, Retrieved 9/15/12.
massage chair For Blood Circulation may hear bit anoying but Massage is believed to improve blood and lymph circulation. The direct mechanical effect of rhythmically applied manual pressure and movement used in massage can dramatically increase the rate of blood flow. This is probably due partly to the physical manipulation of soft tissue and partly to the chemicals released as part of the relaxation response. Also, the stimulation of nerve receptors causes the blood vessels by reflex action to dilate, which also facilitates blood flow.
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