Posted under General & Marketing Massage for Special Populations & Massage for Elders
New Year’s Greetings!
I picked up a USA Today while traveling for the holidays and there was an article about how caregivers of people suffering from Alzhiemer’s disease handle the holidays. It states that there are 50 million family caregivers in the U.S.– that’s a lot of people living with the daily toll of caring for the needs of their loved one. How does that impact the massage therapy community? Many of us have clients, friends, neighbors or family members who are, or will be, caregivers. We can offer our support by acknowledging the situation and contribute to the quality of life of the caregiver. Don’t be silent about it.
The article states:
“Family members not directly involved in caregiving may want to focus on the caregiver’s needs. Everybody asks ‘How’s John?’ or ‘How’s Dad?’. They don’t ask how the family caregiver’s are. They’re the invisible ones. The research shows their health is very much at risk.”
We know the positive impact of massage on body, mind and spirit. We have a lot to offer these caregivers and truly make a difference.
How do you think your service might ease the burden of a caregiver?
All the best to you in 2009! I look forward to hearing from you.
Ann
Jennifer Siegel on 09 Jan 2009 at 1:14 am #
I’m a massage therapist working with hospice patients in Portland, Oregon. I travel to patient’s homes. I’ve talked with my employers about having one day a month where I massage caregivers who are interested and my supervisior thougt it was a great idea. Turns out, as an employee of the hospice I can’t work with caregivers without a doctor’s order because of insurance restrictions. I often think it would be a tremendous business opportunity for an independent therapist with a massage chair. Caregivers suffer from all kinds of pain that can be relieved easily with simple, compassionate touch.
Ann Hutchins on 27 Mar 2009 at 11:53 am #
Hi Jennifer,
I agree caregivers usually are physically and mentally exhausted. Would it be a big problem to ask the MD for an order for these caregivers to receive massage?
I am a Hospice nurse – I work as a triage nurse presently and would like to start giving massages to the clients in our hospice house. I was wondering if you had a protocol that you could share.
Thanks so much.