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New Civilization News: Using Healthy Touch to Support and Nourish our Elders & Care Givers |
Category: Medicine, Healthcare 20 comments 2 Nov 2005 @ 14:36 by rayon : Yes, one can certainly go with thisin my "tradition" the recommended putting on of oil to the hands and head should be done by a friend for another, especially for the mature ones. I can add to this for the younger dashing around types that to oil the feet before retiring makes for a calmer night. Perhaps we should not overlook the touch element in this traditional benefit! --------------- Thanks for your response, Nora. For sure, massaging the feet is perhaps one of the best things we can do for ourseleves and others. I do my wife's feet and hands several times a week and she just falls asleep as it is so relaxing. Makes me feel good also. 2 Nov 2005 @ 16:44 by azangel : Count me in... I would graciously accept being a part of your team ..As you know, I currently work in a assisted living facility. There are 34 residents that live inside the facility and then there are over 150 residents that reside on the property in their own apartments. I work there as a Massage Therapist, with my own "healing room" and I also work as a certified nurses aide on the floor, assisting the residents with their daily needs. I offer a 50% discount to my senior clients because I truly want them to reap the benefits. I love being in this environment and feel it is where I am supposed to be. My goal is to educate the seniors that live in this community on the benefits of not only therapeutic massage but also make them aware of the beauty and healing powers of the human touch. I also have 15 years of Hospice experience and I truly believe in its mission in caring for the dying. I embrace your vision and would love to contribute in any way that I can. Keep me posted.. 2 Nov 2005 @ 20:04 by jerryvest : Terrific, Laura....I'm so happy that you will be joining our team and using your many skills to promote health and wellbeing in your setting and in others. One of the things that I did not mention in the article is that our "stressout program" includes the awareness of the breath throughout the experience. We have found that when the giver of the stressout connects their breath with the receiver, both experience a relaxation response. This is especially noticable during the "laying-on-of-hands" experience. While breathing together both partners experience an empathic connection. I'm also looking to add a research component to this project, so I'll keep you posted. Thanks again, Laura. Jerry 2 Nov 2005 @ 21:01 by jstarrs : I'm in awe of your persistance, Jerry... I'll try and see where I can pass this on, too. Thank you so much for your caring for our mothers (& fathers). Here's a story that happened to me the other day. I was on the underground train here in Toulouse, quite crowded. On the edge of my vision, I caught a black guy, rasta, with a scooter, mumbling to himself. He immediately stood up and offered his seat to some old ladies, one of whom sat down, then he engaged them in conversation and the heart feeling was throbbing on both sides. The next station, he passed me to get out and I quietly thanked him and in the space of a millisecond, he said 'the old one's have the experience, I learn from that and it's a shame we don't have more time to talk...' "Right", I said. I was a lovely moment, that caring and recognition of our elders experience. I probably already passed this link on to you, if so, excuses... http://www.spcare.org/practices/tonglen.html ***************** Thanks, Jeff....you are always so kind and supportive. Do pass this on to others as I'm hoping we can expand our international relations and touch program. I liked your train story and the meditation practices that you sent me. They are really excellent and I used them during my surgery when you sent them to me. This is a great message of compassion for those of us working with our elders. "Loving Kindness meditation One of the hardest things about suffering is the feeling that we are trapped in our painful circumstances--lost, hopeless, and alone. We fear our suffering will go on forever, and that there is no way out of it. And when we don't know how to transform or heal our own suffering, we may find it difficult to be with and support others in distress." (Tonglen) This really does lend support for us to interact more with our elders who are often experiencing this distress. 8 Nov 2005 @ 02:55 by vibrani : Absolutely Jerry this is a very important need for all people, not just the elderly or infirmed. People need touch, healing touch. When my mother was sick with Alzheimer's and had a couple of strokes, she spent the last few years of her life in bed, unable to do anything on her own. For the last ten years of her life, and especially intensely during the last three, I and her personal nurses would daily do all kinds of touch work - energetic, massage, reflexology. My mother could feel the energy work I did and her body reacted to it, even though she couldn't see or speak any longer. This work helped to relax her hands and arms that were bundled up in fists with atrophied muscles, and swelling in her feet. I do believe all this aided her in being more at peace and comfort and assisted in her passing over very peacefully. Another aspect of the elderly care is abuse and theft - in homes and hospitals that are supposed to be protecting and caring for them. 8 Nov 2005 @ 15:21 by jerryvest : Vibrani, thanks for your response and for sharing your experience of touch with your mother. I can't think of anything more beneficial than touch for those suffering from Alzheimers. I also introduced some touch work with my father-in-law during his illness with this disease. Also, during a research venture, we gave our touch program twice a week for six weeks to all of the Alzhiemer patients living in nursing homes in our community. The staff reported that during and after the sessions, the entire environment of the setting was improved. The residents were calm and no longer agitated. Unfortunately, many nursing homes still use constraints when the patients become agitated rather than use healthy touch and techniques such as "the laying on of hands." We are about to organize a volunteer group that will support our elders in these institutions with touch and breathing exercises so that they can experience the comfort and nourishment that these interventions offer. You also raise a good point about abuse and theft in these settings. It is about time for our communities to awaken to these terrible conditions that exist for our elders througout the world. Supporting the dignity, care and respect of our aging populations should be a priority for our communities. Unfortunately, our elders with limited resources are treated like prisoners with little regard for their health and wellbeing. 16 Nov 2005 @ 17:26 by jerryvest : Using Touch to Support & Nourish our Elders is on its way here in southern New Mexico. I have contacted several senior volunteer programs for nursing homes and home based service and the staff are very enthusiastic about developing and administering the program. I have also contacted our Field Coordinator for our School of Social Work and she is also interested in helping us get students to do their field practicum with us during the semester. Please let me know if you are interested in developing similar services in your communities. I'll be happy to serve as a volunteer consultant to assist you in advancing the use of touch throughout the World. Best wishes, Jerry 17 Nov 2005 @ 18:16 by rayon : You know what, there is a film on the (b/w) 'first' known person in Europe, a nursing woman, who was caring for a child with polio around about WW2, she insisted that massage and touch would improve the boy child's condition. She was fighting for his recovery. I saw it many many years ago and can remember no more. Film dictionaries allow a search by subject matter, it would be there. 17 Nov 2005 @ 19:34 by jerryvest : Thanks Nicola for the resource. The Touch Research Institute at the Miami School of Medicine has volumns of research on the benefits of massage, Tai Chi, Acupressure and other integrative health practices for the elderly and others. There is no doubt that touch has beneficial results for all populations; however, many of our health professions continue to limit their physical interaction with their clients out of fear and self-imposed boundary issues. This is especially true in nursing homes and with our mental health professionals. A colleague and I introduced touch to the helping professions in Israel a few years ago as she saw that the Alzheimer's patients in nursing homes were being neglected and only "instrumental touch" was permitted in their institutions. While participating in a Global Conference on Aging, it was reported that similar policies are present in most social systems throughout the world. It is for this reason that I want to use touch with our elders and because we know that the power of touch, united with the vitality of the breath, produces a relaxation response and an empathic union between givers and receivers of touch. We have clearly established guidelines for the safe use of touch so there is no reason that our elders should continue to be neglected and denied the use of a basic human need and health requirement. {link:http://www.miami.edu/touch.research/wellness.html} Thanks for staying-in-touch. Jerry 17 Nov 2005 @ 22:08 by soultruth : Reiki also My mom taught me Reiki at a very young age and I grew up with Healing Touch in this form more than the usual medications and doctors. I was taught that everyone on the planet should be (at a minimum) Level 1 Reiki. Healing Touch and Reiki, of course, are very similar. Our very souls are a part of the Universal Energy and therefore benefit most highly from this intention and touch. We have within us, the power to manifest the most glorious things, health and well being is just one of them. This would be great to pass this on to many. 18 Nov 2005 @ 00:07 by jerryvest : You are very fortunate to have such a mom. Your articles here on NCN reflect love and understanding so you are demonstrating and living what you have received. Our family is much like yours in this regard. Our kids, now adults, and my grandkids grow up with their feet and heads in our hands and their seats in our laps during meditation. Touch is a very important part of our life. As kids, they loved our meditation groups--mantras, dancing, theatre, music--tai chi moved too slow for my son. However, he became very proficient in Karate. Yes, Reiki is a very exquisite form of healing. I have several Reiki colleagues and have learned much from their use of touch and intention. I have designed my touch program using Kum Nye acupressure points. We use them in the wrists, finger joints, center of palm of hand, web of thumbs, several points on the face, forehead, tips of shoulder blades, arms, between vertabrae on the back, ridge at the base of the skull, and crown point. We use some massage techniques throughout the experiences--brushing and feathering, squeezing some muscles and fingers, etc. Do visit our protocol to learn more about our method. {http://pages.zdnet.com/jerryvest/id11.html} The most powerful experience we have as partners (givers & receivers) is the laying-on-of-hands. We begin the 'stressout' series with partner breathing exercises so that both giver and receiver experience the power of touch united with the vitality of the breath. So the giver and receiver maintain breathing awareness from beginning to end. And, as you so wisely share..."We have within us, the power to manifest the most glorious things.... Thank you SoulTruth for passing on your love and healing energies here. We repeat the 'laying-on-of-hands' twice during the program and internally repeat "We Are One." The giver rests her hands on her partner's shoulders and they breathe together during this interactive experience. We hold this for a minute or more and we feel our hands melting into our partner's shoulders while breathing together as one body, mind and spirit. 18 Nov 2005 @ 08:00 by soultruth : thanks Thanks Jerry, your program sounds great and very complete. Please keep us updated. :)) 18 Nov 2005 @ 13:33 by sprtskr : Jerry have u heard of the silva mind control way of self healing? Please look it up and let me know what you think. I got a tape from a guy who tried it and it also worked for me.The tape has alpha vibration I believe its 14 beats,it sounds like a helicopter to me anyways. On the site you can get a download free. 18 Nov 2005 @ 13:51 by jerryvest : Hi Sprtskr...yes, I went to an orientation session with a colleague many years ago. It is a very old program and may have been updated since my visit. We were not impressed with it at all and actually walked out. I don't recall the specifics so will look into it again. I hope you are feeling better...it has been some time since we talked. Are you through with those nasty cigs? If you are, I'll bet your breathing is much better. 18 Nov 2005 @ 13:56 by sprtskr : hi Yes its been at least three months now and Im feeling much better in that area. I dont have that smokers cough that kept me up all night. Thanks for asking. I have tried the alpha tape and felt results in my aching joints for about 12hrs. I hope your well also. 18 Nov 2005 @ 15:00 by jerryvest : I'm really feeling great these days and my PSA is .01 following two blood tests since my surgery in June. The Inversion Table has totally relieved my arthritis in my back and my body-mind loves this gravity flow. I am also walking 18 holes on the golf course, doing my tai chi and yoga regularly and riding my bike. So, life is good and able to stay up with my 3 grandkids, some days. :) Thanks for staying in touch. I'm glad to learn that you have successfully kicked the big habit--it's really a dangerous thing as my wife will attest. She also is doing great these days. Much love, Jerry 19 Nov 2005 @ 15:55 by sprtskr : inversion table can u explain what that means? Maybe I too can get some help that way. 19 Nov 2005 @ 16:31 by jerryvest : For sure, Sprtskr.... I posted an article on my May 19 Newslog titled "Holistic Self CAre Practice" that includes some discussion and some very good links related to the Inversion Table. I use it several times during the day and find that it not only relieves my back, but my whole body and mind become relaxed. Thanks for your inquiry. The research is well documented and many of the articles come from excellent professional journals. Several of my colleagues have now purchased the Inversion Table after trying it out in my health studio. It is the best $325.00 that I have spent for health care in a long time as I no longer need chiropractic or osteopathic adjustments, my alignment is greatly improved and I no longer have pain in my vertabrae. 19 Nov 2005 @ 19:30 by judih : great hearing about yr fine form, jerry It's good news you're offering and fine advice about the Inversion Table. Such a simple gravitational way to relax - hope others are listening to your experience and try it themselves. My daughter has been relaxing inverted for years (she's 10)Beginner's mind! best to you and your family. 20 Nov 2005 @ 00:52 by jerryvest : Thanks, Judih...and, also thanks for your generous and creative energies that you manifest on NCN. I am so happy that I have an Israeli sister to interact with. You have also inspired my little boy, in me, that loves to play--dance, paint, sing and play dolls with my granddaughters and grandson. I had never realized how powerful these doll babies are in the early child's development, although the research and theories of development tell us so. We always invent a story and play it out as we've discussed before. I've learned that the best meditations for me occur in concert with innocent children who freely express themselves, without expectation and judgment. Happiness for me is being and playing with my grandkids. 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2 Nov 2005 @ 13:31, by Gerald Vest