Massage & Bodywork

May/June 2010

Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68174

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 116 of 131

SESSION PLANNING Making Informed Decisions for Older Clients The older adult population is one we all should learn about. The statistics on aging are compelling. The value of good research lies not just in its validation of our work, but also in how we can successfully use it to inform our therapy sessions. In this example, an older adult population is the criteria for consideration. Perhaps you are curious to learn more about older adults because you have a new client in her 70s, named Betty. She does not report any specific medical problems, but she has a host of symptoms, including pain, constipation, and loss of balance. You may find this confusing because there is no known medical origin. You are motivated to find out more about the aging process in hopes to explain Betty's situation and help you be a more effective massage therapist. Also, you have a sense that you need to identify a different set of parameters for treating someone who is healthy and active but seemingly more frail than your 30-something clients. The older adult population is one we all should learn about. The statistics on aging are compelling. The demographics of aging are dramatically changing. An increasing number of people are living longer. Compared to a decade ago, people reaching age 65 live, on average, 19 years longer —20.3 for women and 17.4 years for men.1 In 2000, the elder population (65 and older) in the United States totaled 35 million, just over 12 percent of the population; by 2030, that number is expected to peak at 71.5 million, representing nearly 20 percent of the total U.S. population. The peak in 2030 represents the last of the aging baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, and who begin turning 65 in 2011. This larger population of elder Americans will be more racially diverse and better educated with a higher median income compared to previous generations.2 The probability of massage therapists seeing an older adult in their practices is increasing, not only due to the increase in population of elder adults, but also due to the increase in income and education of this growing population. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is more predominant among people with a higher income and more years of education.3 Information from research can help you determine if this is a population you might want to learn more about. By identifying demographics of aging, we confirmed that more people are living longer. We also affirmed that there are more people getting older because the baby boomers are now reaching age 65, representing a demographic bulge across the Western hemisphere. And we learned that this segment of society is more likely to get massages than elder adults of past generations. Given this information, we might want to become skilled at treating older adults. Perhaps your new 70-something client is an anomaly, connect with your colleagues on massageprofessionals.com 115

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Massage & Bodywork - May/June 2010