Posted under General & Marketing Massage for Special Populations & Massage for Elders
 Hi All,
Over the last 6 years I have had the opportunity to see massage therapists around the U.S. successfully expand their practices to settings like long term care settings and hospice.  Some cases in point:
- Helen G., LMT in
Portland, Oregon contracts with a senior retirement community that provides her with a treatment room on-site. Her practice is thriving! - Ellen M., LMT in
Lady Lake, Florida is employed full time by a hospice organization - Lu R., LMT in Hampton, Iowa regularly provides massage to elders with Alzheimer’s disease in a local care facility
- Jeff F., LMT  in Loveland, Colorado is the director of the wellness program in a continuing care community. He has developed an extensive touch program for elders there.Â
It’s my observation that massage is finding its way to these non-traditional settings; nursing homes, assisted living, senior retirement communities, community and residential hospices.   Clearly the therapists I mention are working in these settings. It raises a few questions that I think are worth pondering and sharing our thoughts.Â
1.      What are you seeing in your own community? Are massage therapists serving those in these special settings? If so, are they being paid or are they volunteering their services?
2.      What do you think are the reasons why the doors are opening for massage in eldercare and hospice?Â
3.      What is essential for a therapist to succeed at practicing in these settings?Â
Those of us who feel drawn to work with people in later life stages can support one another in our pioneering efforts to take massage to this special population. Take a minute to share your thoughts—we’ll all be listening!
Happy Holidays to you,
Ann
