Studies conducted by the Touch Research Institute show that seniors can derive great emotional benefit from massage including relief from depression, anxiety, and the agitation associated with memory loss. Massage therapy also helps elders better manage physical pain and recover from surgery. In addition massage therapy has been shown to improve sleep and increases cognitive functioning. Patterns of chronic stress are interrupted during massage, as deep breathing is encouraged and the relaxation response is accessed. Massage is a gentle and loving way for seniors to experience human connection. Touch deprivation is a common problem among seniors as social interaction becomes less frequent. Massage therapy can restore a sense of connection and encourage a sense of well-being.
Relieving Physical Pain and Decreasing Isolation
Physical immobility due to arthritis and other conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system can lead to increased isolation in the senior set. Therapeutic massage, aimed at increasing mobility by increasing joint range of motion and improving posture can help a senior befriend her body, and encourage more activity. Massage also facilitates rehabilitation after surgery and can hasten the healing process.
Improving Sleep and Mental Clarity
Seniors often experience a decrease in the quality of sleep. Massage Therapy helps combat insomnia and other sleep problems and therefore can help with mental clarity and cognitive functioning. The stress reduction benefits of massage create a calm, clear energy, allowing seniors to feel more in control of their environment.
Relieving Anxiety and Agitation
Anxiety and agitation are common problems found in elderly people suffering from dementia. Massage therapists trained to meet the special needs of hospitalized seniors can successfully calm seniors by a simple massage administered to the patient's hands. Hand massage has been shown to reduce agitation, relieving the fear and confusion experienced by individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Those seniors living in group home and assisted living settings are then able to participate more fully in group activities.
A Credible Tool for Helping Seniors
Massage therapy has become a credible complementary therapy helping seniors cope with the emotional ups and downs of the aging process and is now offered to the elderly in many health care settings. Many massage therapists who specialize in working with this population are willing to come to seniors homes to administer therapeutic massage. See the Resources section for more information about finding a massage therapist specializing in the unique needs of the senior population.
