From the Heart Through the Hands

by Nelson, Dawn

• ISBN13: 9781899171934
• ISBN10: 1899171932
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-09-01
• Publisher: Findhorn Pr

Summary

This revised and updated edition presents a combination of practical advice, true stories, and invaluable information for those who want to increase their ability to communicate more consciously and effectively through touch. The physical and psychosocial benefits of skilled touch for the confined, elderly, and ill are elucidated, providing the reader with a greater understanding of how to use touch as a tool to communicate with individuals living with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. Massage-therapy students, doctors, nurses, nursing home and extended care facility workers, chaplains, social workers, grief counselors, and all volunteer and family caregivers will benefit from this physical, emotional, and spiritual guide to hands-on comfort and healing.

Table of Contents

Preface	1	(2)
Introduction	3	(4)
The Power of Presence	7	(4)
The Compassionate Touch	11	(4)
A Word to Nonprofessional and Professional Touch Practitioners	15	(4)
The Efficacy of Touch	19	(16)
Physical Benefits	20	(4)
Psychosocial Benefits	24	(3)
Increased Mobility	27	(1)
Experience of Being Nurtured and Cared For	28	(1)
Emotional or Energy Release	29	(1)
Additional Benefits	30	(2)
Benefits for the Giver of Touch	32	(3)
Karmic Touch	35	(6)
The Power of Touch in Facility Care	41	(6)
Stress of Adjustment to Group Community	41	(2)
Quality of Life Issues	43	(1)
Need for Touch Throughout the Life Cycle	44	(3)
The Power of Touch in Alzheimer's/Dementia Care	47	(16)
Memory Loss	47	(1)
Dementias Defined and Differentiated	48	(1)
Differences between people with Alzheimer's Disease	48	(2)
How Touch Can Help as Disease Progresses	50	(2)
Benefits Specific to Alzheimer's/Dementia	52	(3)
Communication Challenges	55	(6)
Caregiver Stress	61	(1)
What We Can Learn from People with Alzheimer's	62	(1)
Touch and HIV/AIDS	63	(6)
Transmission	64	(2)
Touch Benefits	66	(1)
Guidelines for Touch	67	(1)
Taking Care of Yourself	68	(1)
The Power of Touch in Caring for Our Dying	69	(16)
Communicating with the Dying	70	(5)
The Benefits of Touch in Hospice Care	75	(2)
A Model for Massage in Hospice	77	(1)
Guidelines and Suggestions	78	(2)
Emotional Impact of Working with the Dying	80	(2)
Signs of approaching death and appropriate responses	82	(1)
Physical Changes which Occur During and After Death	83	(2)
Qualities Worth Cultivating	85	(12)
Adaptability	86	(1)
Touch Sensitivity	87	(1)
Intuition	87	(1)
Ability to Focus	88	(2)
Ability to Accept the Way Things Are	90	(1)
Openheartedness	91	(1)
Sense of Self	91	(1)
Ability to Put Attention on the Individual	92	(3)
Willingness to Face Death	95	(2)
Touch Techniques	97	(8)
Age-appropriate Massage	97	(3)
Attentive Touch	100	(1)
Lifting and Shifting	101	(1)
Motion and Movement	102	(1)
Psychic Touch	103	(2)
Accessing Bodies in Wheelchairs and Beds	105	(4)
Touch Session Aids and Tools	109	(6)
Complimentary Relaxation Techniques	115	(10)
Aromatherapy	115	(3)
Music	118	(2)
Visualization	120	(1)
Guided Meditation and Exploration	121	(1)
Shared Breathing	122	(3)
Communication Skills	125	(6)
Active Listening	125	(1)
Positive Instruction	126	(1)
Acknowledgment	127	(1)
Reflective feedback	128	(1)
Interpretive feedback	128	(1)
Unique Challenges	129	(2)
Guidelines and Suggestions for Touch Sessions	131	(18)
Before the Touch Session	131	(6)
Protecting Yourself and the People You Touch	137	(1)
During the Touch Session	138	(2)
Positive and Negative Indicators	140	(1)
Medical Equipment and Apparatus	141	(1)
Sexual Energy	142	(2)
Sympathy, Empathy, Compassion	144	(1)
Effects of Changing Environment	144	(1)
Ending the Session	145	(4)
Caring for the Caregiver	149	(10)
Caregiver Stress	149	(2)
Self-Care	151	(1)
Signs of ``Burnout''	152	(1)
Processing Grief and Integrating Loss	153	(6)
Appendix I: Questions and Answers Regarding Touch Sessions	159	(2)
Appendix II: Dyad Communication Technique	161	(2)
Appendix III: 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's disease	163	(2)
Annotated Bibliography	165	(12)
Books for Adults	165	(9)
Books for Children	174	(3)
References	177	(2)
Acknowledgments	179	(2)
Index	181