Geriatric massage is a gentle form of massage designed for the elderly, addressing specific issues such as frailty and sensitivity to touch. It can help ease depression, stress, and physical pain, and is performed on a heated massage table with gentle techniques and consideration for the client’s comfort level.
Geriatric massage is a form of massage developed for use on the elderly. This style of massage addresses specific issues common to older people, such as increased frailty and sensitivity to touch. Massage therapists can become certified in geriatric massage, and this style of massage is also sometimes taught to nurses and other health care professionals who work in hospitals and institutions that care for the elderly.
Many people feel that touch is beneficial, based on their own personal experience. Several studies have also supported the idea that touch can have a positive impact on physical and mental health. Older people often feel very isolated and alone, so targeted touch from an experienced massage therapist or nurse can help ease depression, stress, and other emotions related to perceived isolation. Touch can also stimulate circulation, strengthen the immune system, and ease the aches and pains that plague many aging bodies.
When working with the elderly, several issues need to be considered. The first is that older people’s bodies tend to be more delicate. Deep tissue work and penetrating massage techniques are not suitable for many geriatric clients, because these styles of massage can cause pain and bruising. The bodies of older adults also experience more stiffness and joint problems, and this issue needs to be taken into consideration when working with older adults. The skin of older people is also very fragile and requires the use of massage oil or cream and gentle massage techniques to avoid tearing or irritation.
The goal of a geriatric massage session is usually to help the client relax, increase flexibility, and ease joint pain. The massage tends to be very light and gentle, and the massage therapist or nurse stays very attuned to signs that the client may be feeling discomfort. Sometimes it is sufficient to lightly touch the skin, while in other cases slow circular massages can be used. Some patients also benefit from the gentle stimulation of the pressure points.
Because older people tend to get cold more easily than younger people, geriatric massage is usually done on a heated massage table with a thick pad that reduces pressure on protruding bones or healing surgical sites. The client is covered with a light sheet and blanket upon request, and only the part of the body that is actively being worked on will be exposed. More modest clients may prefer to wear undergarments or even clothing, in which case the massage will be tailored to the patient’s comfort level. Geriatric massage can be done by prior arrangement at home, in a massage parlor, or in a hospital or long-term care facility.
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