When I began my work with older clients, I found that along with the gentle human touch I provided, I was also touching the past: not only the long, rich life of the person on my table but the communal life of generations older than my own. Older adults have unique physiological, pathological, emotional and cognitive challenges and massage therapists must be prepared to adjust massage treatment planning to suit the needs of older clients. In this essential book, massage therapist Julie Goodwin teaches you everything you need to know about: · Adapting massage techniques to chronic health conditions and conditions of longevity · Creating treatment spaces and providing options, adjustments and guidelines tailored to older clients · Managing transitions when working in eldercare facilities and with end-of-life care The information is presented in a clear format with questions and case studies that allow massage therapists, students and other readers to gauge their understanding of the material and apply massage treatment principles to representative clients.
Everything massage therapists need to know for adjusting their practice to the needs of older adult clients. This book goes beyond adapting massage techniques to the various health complications and degrees of frailty of older clients to include creating a geriatric-friendly massage space and self-care after the death of a long-term client.
