Author
- Ronna Moore1
- Eastern Palliative Care Association1
2016
Excerpt
This presentation describes the empowering possibilities created by the coaching of
caregivers, by palliative care massage therapists, in the safe provision of massage to their
loved ones.
Persons with life-limiting illnesses and their family members often report feeling overwhelmed
and powerless, “at a loss” as to how to comfort and support themselves and each other.
A growing body of evidence highlights both the importance of human touch in general, and
specifically, the value of massage in promoting comfort and relaxation for people with lifelimiting
illnesses. Yet, in the context of palliative care, physical touch is often limited to the
routine practices of caregiving, with many family caregivers apprehensive that they may harm
the fragile patient. Fostering the skills and confidence for caregivers to provide gentle touch
to their loved ones confers benefits to both the recipients and the caregivers.
For the recipient, relief from suffering, and for the giver, knowledge of their own tangible
contribution to their loved one’s wellbeing.
In circumstances where “words might fail”, touch may also open a portal through which
emotional connections may be strengthened, enriching the care-giving environment.
This approach expands the options for the specialist palliative care team in supporting
families in the community.
caregivers, by palliative care massage therapists, in the safe provision of massage to their
loved ones.
Persons with life-limiting illnesses and their family members often report feeling overwhelmed
and powerless, “at a loss” as to how to comfort and support themselves and each other.
A growing body of evidence highlights both the importance of human touch in general, and
specifically, the value of massage in promoting comfort and relaxation for people with lifelimiting
illnesses. Yet, in the context of palliative care, physical touch is often limited to the
routine practices of caregiving, with many family caregivers apprehensive that they may harm
the fragile patient. Fostering the skills and confidence for caregivers to provide gentle touch
to their loved ones confers benefits to both the recipients and the caregivers.
For the recipient, relief from suffering, and for the giver, knowledge of their own tangible
contribution to their loved one’s wellbeing.
In circumstances where “words might fail”, touch may also open a portal through which
emotional connections may be strengthened, enriching the care-giving environment.
This approach expands the options for the specialist palliative care team in supporting
families in the community.