How Massage Therapy can Aid Dementia Patients

Dementia covers an extensive range of symptoms related to a decline in memory and cognitive ability. It can severely reduce a person's ability to perform everyday tasks. Vascular dementia is one of most common types of dementia that occurs after a stroke.

It is best to replace antipsychotic medication with a more natural approach and incorporate strategies to create positive outcomes for elders with dementia. A massage is a great alternative that can offer great results. It also doesn’t cause any negative, harmful side-effects in the long run like medication can do.

Touch and Older Adults: Lack of human touch can create a feeling of isolation, anxiety, poor trust, insecurity and decreased sensory awareness among older people. A massage can create a feeling of reassurance and builds trust. It can significantly enhance the mood of individuals as well.

Hand Massage: A five-minute hand massage can elicit a physiological relaxation response and drops cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone that is produced by adrenal glands during prolonged stress. Lower cortisol levels can improve sleep quality and body immunity. A massage can increase serotonin levels, which is a neurochemical reaction and enhances mood, offers peace of mind, and subdues anxiety. A five or ten-minute hand massage can deliver diverse benefits, including:

1.Reduced occurrence and intensity of agitated behaviour during morning care routines.

2. Improved relationship between the person with dementia and family members

 

                                    

Slow-Stroke Back Massage: Slow-stroke back massage uses effleurage, wherein the palm of the hand is moved in long, rhythmic, firm strokes, forming a figure-eight formation on both sides of the back. A massage can stimulate endorphin production that is responsible for suppressing pain and uplifting mood. It also has a generalized effect on the autonomic nervous system, producing a relaxation response. Three to five minute slow-stroke back massage can provide numerous benefits, like:

1. Quality, deep sleep

2. Decreased anxiety

3. Eased pain

4. Decreased blood pressure and heart rate

Recent studies show the effect of slow-stroke back massage on elderly patients with vascular dementia. A massage can significantly reduce the patients' levels of pain perception, anxiety, blood pressure and heart rate become more stable, indicating increased relaxation.

Foot Massage: Foot massage can offer several advantages to patients with dementia, like:

1. Induced deep relaxation

2. Eased pain and physical discomfort

3. Alleviated anxiety

4. Promoted deep sleep

5. Support and comfort in palliative care

A research was conducted to discover the effect of a 10-minute foot massage on agitated behaviour in older people with dementia. The most common restless behaviour observed was verbal aggression and nomadic and repetitive movements. A regular foot massage can reduce agitation and calms individuals.

Expert hand movement can relieve physical, emotional and psychosocial distress. It can really help patients with dementia. Also, a massage can curb feelings of necessity of medication. The proactive use of these natural treatment can offer greater satisfaction to older people. A hand, back and foot massage can elicit positive, life-affirming feelings and responses.