Massage Therapy is best for the Body & Mind. According to AARP, American Association of Retired Persons, 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day. More than five million Americans are currently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia and according to the CDC this number is expected to increase to 14 million by 2060.
There is evidence that massage can help manage symptoms associated with dementia such as anxiety, agitation, depression and sleep. Essential oils coupled with massage has evidence of helping with relaxation (such as lavender & others), but more importantly improving cognition, mood and reduce occurrences with aggressive behavior in dementia as well as other benefits.
Some research has shown that massage reduces stress in dementia patients and can improve quality of life.
There are different types of dementia and affect memory and cognition in varying ways. The most common forms include:
Alzheimer’s represents 60 to 80 percent of all dementia diagnoses. Alzheimer’s progresses in stages from mild impairment to subtle irritability to complete loss of ability to sit up, respond or control movement.
Early-onset dementia can emerge in someone’s 30s to early 40s. Diagnosis is often delayed because dementia is unexpected in younger people.
Vascular dementia represents 10 percent of all Alzheimer’s cases and has a later onset, usually after age of 80. This often leads to stroke, also called post-stroke dementia.
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is characterized by abnormal clumps of protein alpha-synuclein in neurons called Lewy bodies, named after the researcher. Symptoms are distinct and can include; early visuospatial impairment (depth perception), sleep disturbances, well-formed visual hallucinations and slowness and gait imbalance, but no significant memory impairment. DLB can occur alongside Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia.
Frontotempo
ral lobe dementia (FTLD) can be early onset, ages 45-60 and is marked by personality and behavioral change and difficulty producing and understanding language although memory is often spared until later stages.
The study, “Massage in the Management of Agitation in Nursing Home Residents with Cognitive Impairment,” involved 52 residents from two nursing homes. Subjects ranged in age from 70 to 105 and had a history of agitated behavior, as well as a diagnosis of cognitive impairment, whether moderate or severe.
Results of the research revealed agitation levels for four of the five symptoms were lower during massage than at baseline. At follow-up, both one and two weeks later, agitation levels were lower for all five categories.
“I have found that massage assists to alleviate depression and anxiety, and promote a sense of well-being,” says Holly Cotton a licensed health-care administrator. “Just the act of a physical touch that isn’t necessarily associated with typical care-giving gives the resident a feeling of calm and centeredness.”
The more massage therapists work with Alzheimer’s patients—in assisted living facilities, hospitals and private houses—the closer we get to establishing massage and therapeutic touch as a viable alternative treatment to drugs.
Massage treatment for clients with dementia focuses on creating an environment that promotes client safety, comfort, establishing a relationship of trust, communicating effectively and accommodating the disease progression.
Massage can consist of hand massage or feet massage, just getting the patient comfortable and establishing a relationship and trusting the massage therapist. Sessions don’t have to be an hour in duration, it’s up to the client’s willingness and comfort. Clients can have their scalp, forearms, lower legs and neck massaged in their sessions. Massage therapy is based on the client’s needs and comfort level.
Alzheimer’s and dementia places a lot of stress on caregivers and families. Massage therapy is also beneficial for the caregiver as well. Caregivers often don’t take well enough care of themselves. Even a 30-minute treatment can provide much needed physical and mental benefits for caregivers and family members.
At Moore Road MediSpa, their professional caring staff is prepared to help with dementia patients, caregivers and family members with their massage and other services. Call them today and schedule your relaxation and start getting a better quality of life now.
