Geriatric Massage

88 members

Description

The purpose of this group is to connect, inform and inspire one another on topics related to geriatric massage therapy.
Comments Discussions Members

  • Darcy Neibaur

    I have been involved in Geriatric care since I was 17. I know nothing of Geriatric massage and would like to learn.

    Aug 4, 2009

  • Susan G. Salvo

    Geriatric massage is essentially adapting massage to the elderly population. The main consideration is your client’s current health status (which includes medication use) and to adapt your massage according.

    Although several workshop programs exist in geriatric massage, the most attended are offered through Day-Break, Comfort Touch, and Compassionate Touch.

    In Modalities for Massage and Bodywork (publish by Elsevier), I contributed the chapter on Geriatric Massage. If you have any specific questions, I’ll try to answer them.

    Aug 5, 2009

  • noreen zakrajsek

    There is a weekend workshop coming up at the end of august for intro. to geriatric massage .plus Indian Head massage.
    It Will be held in Indiana, put on by Daybreak Geriatric massage. I am thinking of attending.
    If I can get at least 6-8 people interested in attending a workshop in Northern Michigan.
    I have a retirement home here that would be perfect to host this. Daybreak Geriatric would come to teach the course.
    Is there people out there with this interest?
    Please contact me. This is a great population of people to work on.
    Looking forward to your input.
    Noreen

    Aug 8, 2009

  • Ann Catlin

    Hi Noreen! Our paths continue to cross and I wish you luck on finding folks for your class.

    Aug 31, 2009

  • Ariana Vincent, LMT, MTI, BCTMB

    AUTUMN ROSE ELEGY
    by Mevlana Jelalud-din Rumi

    You’ve gone to the sacred world.
    Which way is it?

    You broke the cage and flew.
    You heard the drum that calls you home.
    You left this humiliating shelf, this disorienting desert
    Where we’re given wrong directions.

    What use now a crown?
    You’ve become the sun!
    No need for a belt; you’ve slipped out of our waist!

    I have heard that near the end you were eyes looking at soul.
    No looking now… You live inside the soul!

    You’re the strange autumn rose that led the winter wind in by withering.
    You’re rain soaking everywhere from cloud to ground.

    No bother of talking.
    Flowing silence and sweet sleep beside The Friend!

    Sep 9, 2009

  • Ann Catlin

    Jamie-- I have been involved with elder massage and Compassionate Touch for about 10 years and am happy to share resources with you. A good start is www.compassionate-touch.org. To to the resources page where you will find articles and related resources. I think many therapists who are interested in this work feel a little bit isolated. That's why it's good to connect here!

    Sep 9, 2009

  • Mary Ellan. Lambert

    In working with the elderly I find myself caring - sometimes too much - about some of my clients. When they pass I am not always sure what to do with these feelings. Any suggestions?

    Sep 20, 2009

  • Darcy Neibaur

    I have worked with the elderly since I was 17 in a nursing facility setting. Now 36 years later working in a private setting, I still don't know how not to get emotionally involved with them. The elderly have a very special place in my heart. I have seen it all with dealing with the Elderly. I feel having compassion is best. "They" always said, Don't get emotionally involved, but never said how to keep from doing it. I am just an emotional person. I love being able to feel my feelings today as there was a time I could not and did not know how I felt. I am still involved with a family after the death of the husband 2 years ago. That wife to this day tells me on a regular basis that she loves me. I tell her back the same thing because it is a true feeling between us and I find nothing wrong with feelings. The nice thing about feelings is they are just feelings and not facts. That's the part that most people miss.

    Sep 20, 2009

  • Julia Lewis

    Caring is necessary. It's not that part that causes us problems. However, being unattached to the outcome of our work is necessary for us to stay healthy. The work also goes better when we focus on our clients' highest and greatest good, and realize that we do not know what that is. At best, we offer what comes through us without trying all the time to make them "better." When I focus on what I want for them, I'm focused on me - my wants and desires - not them. Love them, YES! Care for them as best you can. If you believe that, when they pass, they are now free of arthritis, dementia, digestive problems, etc., then you have cause to be happy for them. You will miss them, grieve the loss that you feel. That's very healthy.

    Sep 21, 2009

  • Ann Catlin

    It is important to honor our authentic feelings- the sadness, the joy, the gratitude- whatever they are. Our truest gift we offer those we serve is our authentic selves. I think though that we must each be aware of our own boundaries and when we are affected in ways that are unhealthy. I've found that simple rituals are healthy ways of honoring people we lose and bringing closure. The best advise I ever heard was to "feel what you feel when you feel it."

    Sep 22, 2009

  • Carol Horned

    It seems to me if we were not caring, compassionate, and involved, we would not be the kind of people who are drawn to this work. It does take someone who is thinking out of the mainstream to love the work. I have become very close with a couple of my people and do lots of extra little things for them. I have not lost any of my clients at this point, but I feel I will be ok, but will still miss them and the blessings of their presence that I have been given.

    Sep 22, 2009

  • Susan G. Salvo

    Nice story. Thanks for sharing Emma.

    Oct 13, 2009

  • Janet

    Hello Everyone! I am so glad that I found this group! I recently became certified in geriatric massage therapy through the DAY-BREAK Institute and right now I mostly see robust to age-appropriate seniors. I would love to work with seniors in assisted living and nursing home facilities. Does anyone know how one can get their foot in the door? I am even open to making home visits. Thanks!

    Jan 2, 2010

  • noreen zakrajsek

    I am thinking about making up special shaped coupons of so sort to offer someone a chance to win a 15 minute foot and lower leg massge. I will do this at the senior place that i currently visit weekly to try to build up some new clients. I am thinking about placing the blank coupon at their place setting during lunch next week,then i will be able to walk around and introduce myself to thosethat don't know me. I will then draw a name out of the bowl for the winner. what do you think? I am also thinking about writing up some sort of coupon so as the retirement place can add it to any new residents WELCOME Basket that they give out. just trying to figure out the right wording. i really need to market myself at two places..any more ideas?
    Namaste,noreen

    Feb 24, 2010

  • Nyema Tolese Randall

    should I wait til I get a massage chair to work on seniors?

    Mar 22, 2010

  • Ann Catlin

    Janet, your question about how to get your foot in the door of eldercare facilities has a pretty complex answer. Over the ten years I've been teaching about serving this special population, I've seen those doors open more and more. However we are still the pioneers of this rewarding work. As a leader I see it as my responsibility to assist folks like you who want to do this work to make that happen. I can offer some resources that you might be interested in. Here is a link to some resources on my website. http://www.compassionate-touch.org/resourcecenter/articlesandarchiv....
    I am constantly looking for new ways to support your work. Take care, Ann

    Mar 25, 2010

  • Ann Catlin

    Nvema, I have found that many seniors cannot tolerate the position required for a massage chair and have trouble getting on and off the chair. A safer alternative is to have the person sit in a chair (like a dining chair) and have him rest his arms on a pillow for support. Another great option is to use a table top device. I recommend the one you can see here: http://www.customcraftworks.com/products.cfm?Category=Massage%20Chairs.
    I hope this is helpful. Ann

    Mar 25, 2010

  • Mary Ellan. Lambert

    Nvema, I have a massage chair but rarely use it for the elderly. Some can tolerate it but most are a little too frail and have trouble getting on and off the chair. Many times I have done massage right in their wheel chairs or on a regular chair with pillows for them to hold on to for support and comfort. I would save your money on the chair unless you want to use it for other marketing purposes.

    Mar 27, 2010

  • Cheyenne Stallings

    What a great forum.

    Apr 26, 2010

  • Janet

    Ann, Thank you for steering me to your website of invaluable information and resources. I will be visiting it frequently.

    Apr 27, 2010

  • Christopher Vallo

    Hello, I wanted to introduce myself and offer to share my experiences of performing Eldar work in an Alzheimer's day program during my practicum with anyone who is interested. I look forward to learning and contributing. Cheers :)

    Jun 24, 2010

  • Janet

    Welcome to the community Christopher. I look forward to hearing about your work with in the Alzheimer's program.

    Jun 29, 2010

  • Sue Heldenbrand

    I would like to extend an invitation to list in my holistic wellness
    directory. The basic listing is free. The premium listing is $20/year
    which allows you more exposure, links,  and submission of articles.
    Looking forward to networking with you. The link is http://www.synergisticcenter.com/Directory-listing-form.html.
    I have a separate directory for massage therapists and also for energy workers.
    http://www.synergisticcenter.com/Directory_massage.html

    Dec 26, 2010

  • Susan G. Salvo

    Wanted to share this article about MASSAGE and the ELDERLY. Just published in Massage Therapy Journal.

     

    Let me know if you have any questions.

    Mar 1, 2011

  • Mary Ellan. Lambert

    Hi Susan.  Thank you for sharing that article.  Good info.

    Mar 1, 2011

  • Susan G. Salvo

    Thank Mary Ellan.

    Mar 2, 2011

  • Ariana Vincent, LMT, MTI, BCTMB

    ‎"Geriatric Massage" and "Serving the Dying" were just added to Ariana Vincent's menu of massage therapy services

     http://www.arianainstitute.com /services.htm

     

    Apr 27, 2011

  • Ariana Vincent, LMT, MTI, BCTMB

    I attended an incredible forum on Death and Dying yesterday at the AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine in Austin. It deepened my understanding about the process of death and dying and it also enhanced my knowledge regarding comforting the friends and family members of those who have passed. If you'd like to learn about the educational opportunities offered at AOMA, visit their website: https://www.aoma.edu/

    May 19, 2011

  • Cathy Nelson

    Hello!  I just joined the group.  Right now, I am volunteering my time with elderly (hand massages) and a new Hospice volunteer (hoping to incorporate massage with my patient).  I'm in the western subs of Chicago.  Just wanted to say "hello"!

    Nov 30, 2011

  • Laura Garza

    Hello all!  I'm working in a new massage clinic focused on medical massage.  I have 2 senior clients and am trying to establish myself as the go-to person for geriatric massage. I have a 75 year old and a 90 year old client, they are the best!

    Nov 13, 2012

  • Laura Garza

    So excited about the progress of one of my seniors I see every week. It's always some improvement. Today? He was able to sit up straight and drink water out of the bottle! He's been hunched over so badly that he's had to use a straw to drink for years.

    Nov 30, 2012

  • Kelly Sanders, LMT

    Laura;

    Thank You for posting such a positive comment.  Besides being a massage therapist, I'm also a CNA and have worked as a private caregiver for several elderly people, all with a disability of some type.  Primarily some form of dementia.  My current patient who is still independent  minded but is 74, a type 1 diabetic amputee, therefore not mobile and undergoing the aging process both mentally and physically.  Because I can, I give her a massage a month to work out the kinks of being in a wheelchair 90% of the time, she is awake.  She is experiencing onset dementia which can be really frustrating for her.  In the 3 months I've been working with her she has bought one new coffee maker and was about to purchase another but all it was is that she forgot to put water in the water tank to brew the coffee with.  I've been giving her a cranial sacral session weekly to open her CNS.  When I saw her upon her request yesterday, (Thursday) she invited me to share a cup of coffee with her.  She was so proud that she'd made a pot for herself by herself.

    Nov 30, 2012