“Never trust anyone over 30” – John Lennon

“Growing old is not upsetting –being perceived as old is.” – Kenny Rogers

What do you know about the counterculture of the 1960s? Do you remember when the words youth culture or youth quake conjured up images of The Beatles, hippies and the freedom to explore one’s potential? If you thought Culture Change was as speedy as a water slide back then, what about now? As Carrie Pierce of the blog Menopauserus.com  states, “Whether we make this journey in our scuffed Go-Go boots, Birkenstocks, Keds or Prada pumps – we need to stay current and informed.”

Cultural pundits may worship youth (some things never change) but what about everyone over the age of 30, or 50 or 70? As a massage therapist, how do you deal with your aged or aging clientele?  How do you figure out what their needs are without making them feel old? Do you wonder how best to help your special needs clients? You need look no further than Ann Catlin, Founder, Center for Compassionate Touch LLC, an organization that offers Compassionate Touch® training internationally (see bio below). Ann shares a youthful yet steady and wise stream of good advice, anecdotes and more at her blog, Touching Lives in Eldercare and Hospice, hosted online at Massage Magazine‘s website.

We’ve distilled a short collection of practical, sage advice from Ann’s blog; she also presented a live video web seminar, Massage in Eldercare and Hospice: An Introduction to Compassionate Touch® at the September 24th Tools for Touch™ (TFT) Webinar.

Cultivate a youthful yet wise attitude.  All quotes below –  Ann Catlin

1.  A new age of care and culture change
“People are willing to pay a little more for the type of setting and care they provide . . . we can all be a voice for the kind of care we want for our elders and, eventually, for ourselves.”

2.  Happy sailing – at any age
“Since my work focuses so much on caring for the very frail it’s good to take in the possibility of a rich life as an elder– one full of exploration, laughter and companionship. So anytime you catch yourself thinking that old age is something to dread, get out among people who show you a different picture.  It will do your heart and mind good.”

3.  Create goodwill today – that may be payed forward tomorrowCreate goodwill today – that may be payed forward tomorrow
“Our society does not foster the idea of caring for our older neighbors. We will all be older. I doubt we have to look far to find someone who would really appreciate a visit and to be included in life. The University of California, San Francisco completed a study that confirms that loneliness in older adults leads to more rapid physical decline.”

4.  An Uncanny Moment of AwarenessAn Uncanny Moment of Awareness
“Those of us who spend time with people with dementia witness uncanny moments of awareness.  I appreciate the reminder that we never really know the inner world of another and any assumptions we make should consider capacity for awareness and relationship.”

5.  Massage is Emerging as a Best Practice (in Culture Change)Massage is Emerging as a Best Practice (in Culture Change)
“The Institute for Caregiver Education identifies massage therapy as a best practice in culture change indicating the following benefits:
Fostering well-being without medication
Building strong bonds between caregiver and resident (elder)
Reduction in weight loss, pain, agitated behaviors, sleeplessness and falls
Increased resident and staff satisfaction"

Related info: Pioneer Network

Ann CatlinAnn presented a web seminar on Compassionate Touch® training via live video feed at the Sept. 24, 2012 Tools for Touch™ (TFT) webinar. Did you miss this opportunity? Click here to view the recorded video of all TFT presentations for 90 days, take the quizzes and earn 9 CE hours.

Ann Catlin, a Licensed Massage Therapist, is an expert in the field of massage in eldercare and hospice. A recognized author, she brings to her work thirty years of experience as an occupational therapist in long term care and rehabilitation. She founded the Center for Compassionate Touch LLC an organization that offers Compassionate Touch® training internationally.