Can massage help elderly people with dementia?

Tomorrow I start a new regular booking at a local care home in Essex. It's the same home that took care of my Grandma before she sadly passed away. They have over seventy elderly residents, a number of whom have dementia, and I'm so pleased that they recognise massage as an important part of their residents' care. 

Let's not get carried away - I'm not going to be doing any deep tissue techniques or using firm pressure. The massage techniques I'll be using with these residents are focused on soothing, aimed to make residents feel comfortable and at ease. We call it 'pamper time' and I aim to provide just that. 

Soothing touch:

My Grandma was without my Grandad for 15 long years before she left us. She missed so many things about him, but one was simply holding his hand. The soothing touch of a hand can work wonders in evoking feelings of reassurance, trust, protection and relaxation. This simple act of touch is just one example of why complementary therapy is such a powerful way of helping people. 

Just five minutes of soothing hand massage can decrease stress and encourage feelings of reassurance and relaxation
Photo by Joshua Hoehne

Before becoming a Massage Therapist, I used to work for Alzheimer's Society, so I'm really looking forward to reconnecting with the people I felt so passionate about helping. 

If you're affected by dementia, and are thinking about massage therapy for yourself or a loved one, here are some quick reference points to show the benefits that massage can bring:

Benefits of massage to elderly people and people with dementia:

• A short hand massage can encourage a relaxation response in the brain, decreasing our levels of cortisol (a stress hormone). This is particularly important in elderly people as our immune system is stronger when cortisol levels are lowered. Massage can also increase levels of serotonin in the body. This is a neurochemical which regulates mood and enhances feelings of calm and relaxation.
  

• Massage can help release endorphins, which in turn make us feel happy and energised. Even if a person with dementia cannot remember having had a massage that day, they may remember the feeling of being happy. They may remember that they did something enjoyable that day, even if their precise memory of it has been displaced. It is important to keep doing these enjoyable activities, ensuring we keep releasing the valuable endorphins that our bodies need.
  

• Soothing massage strokes and comforting touch can help create a sense of trust for a person with dementia. This soothing touch can help to reassure and to reduce distress. It can also help people with dementia to feel comfortable in the company of others without the pressure of conversation or daunting questions.

It is important to understand the expectations of complementary massage therapy for elderly people. It will not 'take 50 years off' and leave them doing laps around their care home grounds, nor will it cure illnesses. However, it does bring a number of physical and psychological benefits (of which we have just scratched the surface), which can help to make residents much more comfortable. 

More information on dementia:

I am not a Dementia Care Specialist by any means, and this blog is based on: my observations, personal experience and further reading. If you'd like to find out more or need advice about living with dementia and helping others living with the condition, please contact Alzheimer's Society who are here to help: 0300 222 1122, or see here for more information: www.alzheimers.org.uk/helpline

Wish me luck for my first day! I'll let you know how it all goes, and also share any tips I pick up for those of you who are carers for any elderly loved ones. I admire you all - what a selfless and wonderful thing you are doing. 

I hope this has helped some of you, or will at least help to increase our awareness of each other's needs in the future. 

Take care all, M&M x

KAPOW: The superfood you need in your diets. Blueberries, come on down.

What are superfoods? How many should we eat a day to achieve a better sense of wellbeing? Should we ONLY eat superfoods? Sit down, have a cup of (peppermint) tea and I'll (very briefly) explain all. 

Blueberries: The only armour you need this Monday morning
Photo by Joanna Kosinska

According to the NHS, 'superfoods' are foods that can apparently reduce our risk of chronic diseases like heart, disease, stroke and cancer, if eaten alongside a healthy lifestyle. Note that superfoods can reduce our risk, not eliminate. 

Not only are these little blue balls of goodness deliciously yummy, but, according to some nutritionists, if there is one superfood that you should introduce to your diet right now, it's blueberries. Let's not be silly though - having 5 blueberries each day will not make us invincible and fight off all forms of cancer. 

Blueberries:

• Are low in calories

• Are high in nutrients

• Contain a high level of antioxidants

= WINNER

When working the busy 9-5 life in London, it's hard to find the time and the money to be uber healthy, do enough exercise and also find time to have a massage. I get that. However, if you can nail at least 2 of these 3 each week then you should pat yourselves on the back. Hard. 

So why not take some small steps this week just try adding some blueberries to your breakfast cereal, or have them for dessert tonight with some yoghurt. Push the boat out.

For me, having a great start to my day, and my working week, makes me feel pretty smug, and ever so slightly less guilty if I have some Ben and Jerry's this evening...or every evening this week. 

Enjoy those blueberries and smash through Monday. Kapow. 

To book in a massage to accompany your blueberry intake, have a look at these massage prices and then book here now!

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For recipe ideas, have a look at The Greatest You with Tori's amazing recipe ideas, (scroll to: 'Everything but taste-free pancakes'...YUM)

Why should we drink so much water after a massage?

Ever wondered why your massage therapist insists you drink lots of water after your treatment?

It's not just because drinking water is good practise for general health and wellbeing. It's actually the last important step in ensuring your massage brings you the maximum amount of benefits...

It's recommended we should drink at least 2 litres of water in the 24 hours after our massage
Photo by Manki Kim

Why is it important to drink water after a massage? 

During your massage, the therapist's movements will work your muscles. These movements encourage fluid to pump out of the soft tissue and out into your circulatory system, finally towards your kidneys. (You're not alone if you need to urinate after your massage). Therefore, we need to replace these fluids to their normal level.

Remember:  

By the time you feel thirsty, your body is already on the way to being dehydrated, and probably has for at least half an hour. Don't wait until you feel thirsty, make a conscious decision to keep drinking water.

Bye bye toxins...

The other important reason why we drink water is to flush out the toxins that have been released by your massage, or 'helping the process of lymphatic drainage'. The more tension that is released during the massage, the more metabolic waste is released into your system. By drinking lots of water, we are helping our kidneys to effectively drain out this 'waste'.

So drink up, and pee out those toxins. Literally pee out your bad vibes. 

Massage deals! Why not book yourself in for a massage and make the most of M&M's current offers.