Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68174
SOMATIC RESEARCH but Betty may be a stepping-stone to building a niche clientele. FIND STATISTICS To learn about the demographics of the identified population, a general search of the Web is easiest. Use whatever search engine you are comfortable with—Google, Ask, Bing, Yahoo!—and type in "statistics on aging" or "statistics on older adults." Different search terms yield different results. Track your search terms so you can repeat your searches, should you need to retrace your steps. Select websites that are more likely to have large budgets for funding research. Government sites, such as None of these sites will tell you if massage is an effective treatment for the symptoms associated with aging or with chronic conditions of the elderly, or how massage is effective for treating those conditions or symptoms, or which types of massage have been found to be safe and effective for each. Time to go to the medical research. When searching for medical research, use medical databases, like PubMed, or BioMed Central—both are free. While a general search is perfectly fine for statistics, never rely on a general Web search for medical research. First, let's see if we can identify a common profile of the older adult. Healthy, active adults will likely require attention to functional considerations, such as balance, pain with movement, and loss of mobility. www.nlm.nih.gov, www.aoa.gov, and www.aarp.org draw from census data and other large surveys to compile statistics. Data from these sources are considered to be generalizable because of the large sample size, with a high level of evidence because they are reproduced every two to five years. However, they are primarily representative of U.S. citizens and include little to no international data. Once you identify demographic information that defines the population, explore the needs of the population. For example, identify common conditions older adults face. Explore specific information on chronic conditions, such as pain, arthritis, balance and falls, constipation, and insomnia. PROFILE OF OLDER ADULTS Older adults may present with a wide range of conditions, making it challenging to identify a typical profile. Applications of massage therapy for the elder adult will vary depending on the presenting symptoms and conditions of the person receiving care. Massage practitioners are best served if they are knowledgeable about the range of health conditions common to this growing population. Approximately 80 percent of older adults have at least one chronic health condition and 50 percent have at least two chronic conditions. The most frequently occurring conditions among older people in 2005–2006 were hypertension, arthritis, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.4 While the health status of older adults varies widely, three distinct categories can be identified: healthy, active older adults; older adults living with chronic conditions; and older adults requiring end- of-life care or palliative care. HEALTHY, ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS In 2007, 39 percent of non- institutionalized older adults assessed their health as excellent or very good.5 Although people's bodies change and can in some ways decline over time, these changes do not invariably lead to diseases such as hypertension, arthritis, and dementia. Aging often involves common biological, physiological, and psychological changes affecting digestion, vision, balance, and mood, for example. Healthy, active adults will likely require attention to functional considerations, such as balance, pain with movement, and loss of mobility. Common conditions of nondisease- related aging that fall within the scope of massage therapy treatments with research data available include constipation, decreased flexibility, loss of balance, and pain. ADULTS LIVING WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS With 39 percent of older adults reporting excellent to very good health, but 80 percent of older adults having chronic conditions, an overlap of populations is evident. This is an indication that while older adults may present with a positive outlook on their health, massage therapists must remain mindful of underlying chronic conditions. All of the conditions listed within the healthy, active older adult section may be symptoms of a chronic condition. connect with your colleagues on massageprofessionals.com 117