Touching Lives in Eldercare and Hospice

It’s not just us saying it!  As care communities across the nation adopt person-centered policies and practices they are finding that massage therapy supports this mission.  The Institute for Caregiver Education identifies massage therapy as a best practice in culture change indicating the following benefits:

• Fostering well-being without medication
• Building strong bonds between caregiver and resident (elder)
• Reduction in weight loss, pain, agitated behaviors, sleeplessness and falls
• Increased resident and staff satisfaction

As massage therapists we know the positive impact of touch to improve physical, emotional, and spiritual quality of life. Isn’t it wonderful that now the long term care profession is recognizing what we have known for years about the benefits of massage?    We all can join this conversation and become champions of best practices.  Want to learn more about culture change? Check out the Pioneer Network!

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I’m saddened by the news of Dianne Polseno’s death. Not because she was a close personal friend. I’ve never spent time with her. I’ve know OF her through colleagues and by reputation. Dianne made a remarkable contribution to the massage therapy profession. In case you don’t know who she is, Dianne was campus president of Cortiva Institute of Massage Therapy in Boston among her many other activities.

And so, I’ve been thinking.  I feel sad that I never took the opportunity to connect with her when I had the chance.  I let myself be complacent and be ok with just hearing about her through others.  Colleagues tell me that Dianne was a supporter of my own work with Compassionate Touch.  I’m wrestling with something that I think many of us are guilty of. That is not reaching out to connect when we have the chance. To tell someone thank you. To show appreciation.  Missed opportunities.

Today I will honor the person that Dianne was and the essence of her that remains with us. Thank you, Dianne for making the world a little brighter and for your leadership in our profession.  Please join me in sending her love and appreciation.

Take good care,
Ann

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Today I had a rare treat. I was able to wish one of my mentors a happy 80th birthday– long distance through Skype.  Naomi Feil is the founder of Validation, a ” method of communicating  with and helping disoriented very old people. It is a practical way of working that helps reduce stress, enhance dignity and increase happiness. Validation is built on an empathetic attitude and a holistic view of individuals.”  If you have anyone in your life (as so many of us do) who is living with dementia or brain aging, I encourage you to check out Naomi’s Validation.  I first met Naomi about 15 years ago at a workshop she taught while I was working in a skilled nursing facility as an occupational therapist.  She taught me how to respond to a confused person in a way that is compassionate and respectful.  Our paths have continued to cross as colleagues and Naomi has presented in events created and hosted by the Center for Compassionate Touch.  The massage therapists I train learn some basic Validation tools and I am so appreciative that I can pass along this profound tool.  Today I was able to, via skype, pay tribute to her work and wish her a happy birthday along with other folks from around the world!  Naomi inspires me constantly. You see, at age 80 she travels the world teaching people Validation!  She is a woman who lives her life on purpose and hasn’t stopped just because of  age.  So, Naomi, this post’s for you!  Happy birthday and safe travels.

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I recently taught a Compassionate Touch workshop in Texas and got into an interesting discussion with a therapist, Karen, about wearing scrubs while we work.  I’ve always told my students not to wear scrubs when working in an eldercare facility because they would be mistaken for a nurse assistant or other caregiver. I’ve advocated wearing business casual attire.  My reason for wanting to be set apart from the hands-on care staff is that I think it puts the elder at ease and that it helps with establishining rapport.  But Karen helped me see this issue from a new lens that reflects a cultural view I’ve never thought about before.  She is from the southern states of Mississippi and Louisiana and her experience has been that older adults have a higher level of trust and respect for the therapist who wears scrubs.  She explained that it’s because it’s important to elders to know that you are a qualified health professional and that scrubs are a symbol of professional credentials.  She believes that an elder would be more likely to accept our services if we wear scrubs.  I’m glad to have this perspective to ponder. What do you think about this issue? What has been your experience?  Do you think this is of more relevance in the South or might it be a generational issue?

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There’s a little quip that I’ve heard in senior communities that goes something like this; “I’m looking for Mrs. B., can you tell me what she looks like?  “Yes, she’s the one with gray hair and glasses!”  Not that original, really, but you get the picture.  I’ve often been struck with profound awareness when I enter the dining room of a nursing home. At first glance it looks like a sea of gray heads and everyone sort of blends together. The quip suggests these old folks all look alike so they are alike and have morphed into some other kind of creature.  At what point do we become one of “them”?  I have a psychologist friend who counsels young children.  She once told me that she’s effective because she doesn’t talk down to the kids or treat them as “pre-people”.  Something about her comment rings true and, by comparison, I think we live in a society that views old people as “former people”. When do we lose our individual identity and become a former person? Can we avoid it?  I’d love to hear your thoughts on this!
Take care,
Ann

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My husband related this story as told to him by our friend, Jeannie’s husband.   It points to the capacity for moments of clarity in a person who is thought to be unaware of what is happening around her. Jeannie’s parents are both in their 90′s. Her  mother is in a skilled nursing facility and has advanced dementia. She seems to no longer recognise her family when they visited and is in a very debilitated state.    Her father had been living at home but his health was declining because of some form of cancer.  Although her father always thought he would like to die in his own home, when faced with the reality of his demise he chose to be with his wife in the nursing home.  They now shared a room and family spent time at the bedside of the father as he was nearing death. No one was sure whether or not his wife was aware of his presence or situation. At one point she called out “He’s nearing death!”  About two hours later, he died.  Seems to me that she was more aware of circumstances than one would assume.

Those of us who spend time with people with dementia witness these uncanny moments of awareness.  I appreciate the reminder that we never really know the inner world of another and any assumptions we make should consider  capacity for awareness and relationship.  Do you have similar stories to share from your own experience? 

Blessings to you this holiday season,
Ann

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Last week I had the honor of presenting two sessions at the AMTA National Convention in Portland. Both were well-attended. In fact every seat was taken and it was standing room only!  I was delighted to see how many of my colleagues are interested in how massage impacts the lives of people with Alzheimer’s disease and our role in hospice care.  Many therapists reported that they are working in clinical  massage programs and many others want to develop new programs. It was exciting to hear about others’ work and how their programs are structured.  It is clear that programs in hospice and eldercare vary a lot in size; scope; and how they are funded.  As a leader I feel a responsibility to continue to create clear models for massage programs in these settings. If you are a therapist working in either a long term care facility or hospice, I want to hear from you! I want to learn about your work and your program.  I’m sure others reading this will be interested, too.  So toot your own horn and tell us your story. We’ll all be glad you did. 
Many thanks to the convention organizers for a super job– well done!
Ann

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I watched a short presentation by Dr. Abraham Verghese where he describes the difference human touch makes in the doctor-patient relationship.  He discusses today’s health care delivery system where so many things are computorized that it has even further removed doctors from their patients. I’ve noticed gadgets are used more and more for certain things such as taking a person’s pulse rather than being done with a finger on the pulse point.  During doctor’s visits, the doctor and nurse spends quite a bit of time reading reports or entering data into a computor.  I understand that software systems in healthcare have streamlined exchange of information and I think that’s great.  As a massage therapist who works with frail people in long term care and hospice it’s really great to hear a physician talk about what we know to be true.   Touch is the medium for deep human connection and a catalyst for healing. Thank you, Dr. Verghese for helping us to spread this message !  In today’s era of healthcare there is even a greater place for massage and the gift of human touch to complement medical care.
Take care,
Ann

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Hello everyone,

Well it has been an interesting summer to say the least. I became invisible. Not literally of course but invisible in the sense of pulling back and falling into what author Seth Godin calls “the dip”, a tempory set-back or low point in one’s energy and feelings about business or other endeavors.  A sinkhole.   We have lots of sinkholes here in Missouri where big holes form on the surface connecting with underground caves. Sometimes whole houses fall into them!  Dictionary.com describes a sinkhole as “ A depressed area in which waste or drainage collects.”  How appropriate for the kind of sinkhole I’ve been in.  I love the perspective of Seth Godin. To paraphrase the opening paragraphs of his book called The Dip: If you are a high-acheiving, goal-oriented person, you’re probably used to running into obstacles, both personal and professional. Most of the time we deal with obstacles by persevering. Extraordinary benefits come to those who are able to push longer or know when to quit. In either case, it’s about getting through the hard stuff and coming out on the other side. I can relate- how about you?
I know I’ve climbed out of the dip because I feel a renewed sense of committment to the purpose of my work. I’m stronger to take a chance on success and future growth.   But it’s not come easily, not without help from others in this world and beyond, and not without affirming experiences.  For that I am profoundly grateful. I pulled out the bookmark and it reads “In every journey there is meaning. In every conflict there is growth. In every action there is purpose. In every moment of doubt remember to believe in yourself.” 
I really like Seth Godin’s last sentence in the book where he says, “If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try.”  I think I will!  You’ll be hearing more from me again– would love to hear stories about how you managed not to fall into the sinkhole. 
See you on the journey,
Ann

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Hi all,

I read an article written by Anne Kreamer with the same title. Each of the 5 things are reported by either an expert in the field of aging or an elder. 

1. You’ll be happier because you are no longer striving to achieve goals and can relax with less stress.

2. Wise decisions will come more easily because as we age we become better problem solvers.

3. The fashion police will be off your back. 

4. You’ll know yourself and have greater confidence to express yourself.

5. You’ll have time on your hands to do things you love.

What do you think about these points? Is this what you observe in the elders you know?  Think it’s true for  yourself?

Take good care,
Ann

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