Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/557366
F r e e S O A P n o t e s w i t h M a s s a g e B o o k f o r A B M P m e m b e r s : a b m p . u s / M a s s a g e b o o k 55 is potential for your practice to thrive. But serving this population requires a unique combination of knowledge, skill, and personal awareness. BE INFORMED Knowledge gives you a foundation from which to act. When you are informed, you can offer your care with confi dence and ease. It is essential to be informed about the characteristics and needs of this special population, including: • Age-related changes. It is important to understand the typical physical and functional changes of aging versus changes that are manifestations of a disease process. • Common conditions found in eldercare settings. If you work in long-term care, you will encounter individuals living with the effects of stroke, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, hip fractures, and cancer, among others. A basic understanding of these conditions, precautions, and how to modify your approach will ensure that you provide safe, effective, and meaningful service. • Special needs of elders in facility care. Those who live in care settings are often dealing with loss, grief, feelings of helplessness, lack of control, boredom, touch deprivation, and feelings of isolation. Your awareness and compassionate acknowledgement of these sensitive issues will deepen the therapeutic relationship with your client. • Benefi ts and effects of skilled touch. Identifying the specifi c physical, mental, and spiritual effects of your touch for those with special needs will help others understand the far-reaching value of your service. • How to work within the long- term care system. This can be intimidating if you aren't informed about the way the system operates. Although you may feel confi dent in your skills as a therapist and comfortable with elders, knowing how to navigate the system is necessary to succeed in expanding your practice to this setting. DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS Working with elders in facility care requires skills that go beyond traditional massage techniques. While being skilled in massage techniques is important, this work often requires creativity and fl exibility because of environmental barriers, positioning needs, or communication challenges. • Techniques. Some modalities are well suited for the person living with the effects of aging, disability, or dementia, while others are inappropriate. It is important to learn modalities that are safe and benefi cial for the variety of conditions and individuals you will encounter. • Adaptability. Letting go of techniques and expectations is often called for in order to respond to the needs of your client in the moment. • Communication skills. There will be times when your client is unable to speak, or speaks with garbled speech that is diffi cult to understand. Others will be confused or have severe memory loss. Still others will want to share their feelings and stories with you. Many will be hard of hearing. A variety of communication skills is required to relate to the individuals you will serve. CULTIVATE SELF-AWARENESS Working with this population will challenge you to learn about yourself and will teach you about the profound nature of service. Helpful Terminology Eldercare has its own jargon. Knowing how to communicate with the professionals who serve as gatekeepers in these elder facilities will help you establish credibility and build relationships. Here are some terms that will help you "speak the language": Activities of daily living Functional tasks including bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, walking, household chores, and leisure activities. Ancillary service A service, like massage, offered as a supplement to the standard care in a facility. Eldercare The broad spectrum of support services for frail or disabled older adults that can consist of care in the home, assisted living, or skilled nursing facility. Also referred to as long-term care. Fee for service Method of charging whereby a practitioner bills for each session or service rendered. Independent contractor A person or agency that provides a service but is not an employee of the facility. Resident A person living in a long-term care facility. Responsible party A person who is designated to oversee the fi nancial and health-care needs of a resident or patient—most often a family member.