It can be difficult for family members and even nursing home staffers, to know how to reach people with dementia or memory issues. But at one local senior care village, compassionate touch is helping to make that connection.
Jean Senne has been volunteering at the Presbyterian Village at Hollidaysburg for 8 years. First, she was visiting with residents and giving shoulder rubs, and now since November, she’s been offering Compassionate Touch.
Pauline Veckov, one of her regulars says, “I think it’s wonderful because I had a stroke and my left shoulder is very tight and when she comes in and massages it , she takes the time to really rub it with the cream.”
Compassionate Touch Therapy uses touch and massage to help reduce agitation, withdrawal, and other dementia symptoms.
Research shows nursing home residents who receive it do better healthwise—they’re alert during the day and sleep better at night. They also take less antipsychotic medication.
Staff at the local home, some of them, also trained in the technique, notice a difference.
LPN Sherry Keagy says, “ones that don’t speak will smile, and ones that can’t share a response, you see them watching you, so you know it’s having some effect.”
Residents visited by Jean get a little extra bonus along with Compassionate Touch. “It’s not just a quick hello when you see them in the halls, I usually get down on my knees and I’m face to face with them and we talk.”
Pauline says, “she always tells me about her garden and all her canning and her husband and what he plants.” She looks forward to that and chimes in with stories about her family.
Presbyterian village is looking for more volunteers to take the training…
Jean says if you don’t sign up, it may be your loss. “Those who are not coming in and even sitting and talking to these folks one on one, they’re missing a lot, she add.
Presbyterian Village at Hollidaysburg will be holding a Compassionate Touch training session for families and volunteers this fall.
