Geriatric Massage
Elderly Massage Therapy as Part of an Elderly Care Program
Geriatric massage, sometimes referred to as elderly massage, is tailored to meet the needs of the elderly population. This form of massage therapy can be used in elderly care programs to decrease symptoms of some diseases commonly found in that population. Let's look at the benefits of massage therapy on the elderly population.
Elderly massage uses the same basic strokes used in Swedish massage therapy as its foundation.
effleurage
petrissage
friction
While there are many healthy seniors, many also suffer from a variety of conditions associated with aging. Geriatric massage can be used to lessen the effects of these conditions increasing quality of life.
The benefits of massage therapy include, increasing the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid, relieving stress, improving sleep quality, lowering blood pressure, and calming anxiety.
Massage therapy can also help treat conditions associated with aging, such as:
arthritis
bursitis
headaches
sleep disorders
Alzheimer's Disease
Parkinson's Disease
Seniors who live in nursing or retirement homes tend to be touch deprived. Massage can help counter the effects of touch deprivation.
Seniors who live in institutions also tend to be physically and verbally agitated because they can no longer care for themselves. When institutionalized seniors are given hand massages they show fewer signs of agitation. Back massages increases the calming effects even more.
Geriatric massages last no longer than 30 minutes and use slow gentle strokes. Therapists trained in this form of massage know how to tailor a massage for the special needs of elderly clients.
You should not get a massage if you have these conditions:
broken bones
bruising
open bed sores
varicose veins
certain types of cancer
blood clots
have been taking blood thinner or muscle relaxers
Though the benefits of geriatric massage are becoming more accepted in the medical community, it isn't practiced very widely. The reluctance of insurance companies to cover it and the fact that it isn't covered by Medicare and Medicaid make it difficult for people to afford the treatment.
If you are interested in geriatric massage, you can call your insurance company to see if they'll cover it. They may if you get a prescription for massage from your doctor.
