Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1488451
L i s te n to T h e A B M P Po d c a s t a t a b m p.co m /p o d c a s t s o r w h e reve r yo u a cce s s yo u r favo r i te p o d c a s t s 35 2/3 OF AMERICANS WITH ALZHEIMER'S ARE WOMEN. It's Easier for Me "Working with the Alzheimer's and dementia population, sometimes family members will thank me and comment on the amount of patience I have," says Dr. Joi Edwards, who sees elderly patients at a continued care facility. "I usually tell them though, it's not that I have superhuman patience—it's harder for family members to appreciate the quirks, challenges, and changes in their loved ones because they compare who they are now to who they used to be. And they miss that. The family has known their loved one in various stages of dementia, and in a sense has had to mourn (more than once) the person they used to be, throughout what can be a very vicious and progressive cycle. I, however, met and fell in love with who they are, their innocence, feistiness, raw emotion, and behavior, in this stage." 30 % OF CAREGIVERS FOR THIS POPULATION ARE 65 YEARS OR OLDER; TWO-THIRDS OF CAREGIVERS ARE WOMEN. Source: Alzheimer's Association, alz.org OLDER AFRICAN AMERICANS ARE 2 X AS LIKELY TO HAVE ALZHEIMER'S AND OTHER DEMENTIAS AS OLDER WHITE AMERICANS. While verbal processing may be difficult, Rose suggests it's important to say hello using the client's name. "Tell them who you are and your intention for being there. When I say this, I am sitting at their level. I might take a hand or touch a shoulder when I say this. I will notice their nonverbal response, especially if there is no verbal response. Sometimes, they will smile, or extend their hand for more touch, or point somewhere wanting touch." Be prepared to communicate verbally and nonverbally. Understand That They May Not Know You It's very possible that the client with dementia may not recognize you from session to session, may not be able to speak, or may not be able to understand your words when you speak, Castiglione says. You may find, however, that after multiple visits, your client may begin to connect with your energy as you approach them, recognizing that something very positive usually happens when this person arrives, she says. Monitor Stimulation Castiglione says the dementia client will often tolerate only a very short amount of either physical or emotional stimulation, so therapists should plan shortened massage sessions and be f lexible with regard to which methods of touch are agreeable to the client on any given day. "Be aware of their facial expressions and any tensing of muscles as you touch them. Be open to the idea that you may spend an entire session just holding their hand—it may be just what they need in that moment. Sitting silently together can be an extremely rewarding session for client and massage therapist alike." Establish Safe Touch The client with dementia often senses touch, but their relationship with their surroundings are often in a state of "disconnect." Therefore, the safest first point of contact, Castiglione says, may be offering your outstretched hand to them with the expectation that they may reach their hand back to you, or at least not feel uneasy if you then begin by touching, holding, or stroking their hand. Rose says gentle manual therapies like Comfort Touch are primarily calming to the nervous system. "Generally, people with Alzheimer's or dementia