Old age usually refers to people surpassing or nearing the life expectancy cycle. As age progresses, elders are often left alone in a room to meet their fate, while some lucky ones are surrounded by their loved one’s care.

Age-related euphemisms include older adults and the elderly alike. The skin develops wrinkles and sags, rips more efficiently, and heals more slowly as it ages. People lose muscle and bone mass due to respiratory changes, which might reduce their strength and flexibility and increase their risk of osteoarthritis.

The gastrointestinal system also begins to slow down with age, making older patients more susceptible to heartburn. Reduced cerebral blood flow may result in altered pain sensitivity, cold intolerance, and diminished balance and coordination. In addition, the heart begins to grow, resulting in a thickening and constriction of the arterial walls, an increase in blood pressure, and a decrease in circulation.

During the ageing process, our bodies can benefit from all the care we can supply, and therapeutic massage is the ideal option. A massage can do wonders for the immobile user of a straight stairlift and those with circulation issues.

Massage therapy truly offers a multitude of benefits. From being a terrific way to de-stress during hectic times to having a natural effect on how our bodies function, geriatric massage has many benefits.

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Geriatric Massage and Its Benefits

A geriatric massage technique uses soft, gentle massage and passive stretching to alleviate muscle stress without undue skin contact. Massage for the elderly can improve posture and create a sense of well-being for those less physically active by promoting circulation. 

Massage is a non-invasive, pleasurable method for alleviating the symptoms of numerous age-related disorders and enhancing the quality of life. With hundreds of baby boomers retiring every day, every practitioner should consider learning how to operate safely with senior clients.

Improvement of the patient’s quality of life and confidence

Massages are a great way to reduce stress, body aches, pain, and overall mobility. Geriatric massages help to improve confidence in older patients and thus improve their overall perspective of life as they become happier.

Improves sleep duration and quality

Geriatric massage experts of Lana Life Care takes extra precaution and care. Increased blood circulation helps to improve sleep quality and duration. Most elder patients find issues in their sleeping patterns. Geriatric massages help to improve this sleep pattern. Good lymphatic circulation enhances the excretion of noxious chemicals from the body, thus improving mobility, sleep, and overall development.

Relieving stress, anxiety, loneliness, and sadness

Massaging creates a sense of comfort for the patients. Massage therapy is a recognised approach for reducing the most adverse effects of stress on the mind and body. Even a few minutes of massage therapy has been proven to stimulate the body’s natural feel-good hormones and leave the recipient feeling more relaxed and less agitated.

Relief from headaches and soreness

Increased blood flow reduces headaches and muscle soreness in the body. Older patients would have more muscle soreness and fatigue than an average person. High blood flow to these areas will reduce cramps or muscle soreness to a great extent. 

Accelerating recovery from injuries and diseases

Massage treatment helps stretch and relax muscles. Massage therapy can increase flexibility by elongating and relaxing the muscles. In addition, massage treatment can enhance the range of motion by boosting circulation and breaking up adhesions. This can be particularly beneficial for those who are injured or have limited mobility.

Physical and mental relaxation

Geriatric massages reduce stress and relax your body. Enhanced blood circulation is one of the primary benefits of massage. This facilitates the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, facilitating healing. Your cells receive oxygen and nutrients from your blood as it travels throughout your body. Inadequate blood circulation can result in discomfort and irritation. Massage therapy helps improve blood flow, which in turn can alleviate pain and inflammation. Thus relaxes your body.

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Differences Between Geriatric Massage and Other Types of Massage

Stiff muscles, reduced mobility, and persistent pain are just some of the ageing-related issues that can be reduced with a geriatric massage. Since the skin of the elderly is drier and more easily bruised or torn, geriatric massage therapists employ light, soothing strokes and gentle stretching instead of the usual firm pressure. 

Medical contraindications are taken into account by trained professionals, who modify their approach to therapy accordingly. To make getting on and off the massage table easier for clients in wheelchairs or beds, or who are nearing the end of their lives, therapists may modify their approach to massage.  There are specific massage techniques that can help those with painful conditions like arthritis or spinal issues. 

Things to Consider in a Geriatric Massage 

A massage therapist will think about many things to make sure that an elderly patient’s massage is safe and effective.

Skin Disease

As you get older, your skin changes in how thick it is and how long it lasts. The person giving you the massage will decide how hard they can press on your skin without hurting you. If you put too much pressure on your skin, it could crack or get red.

Overall Condition of Health

A massage therapist will check your overall health before giving you a geriatric massage. This could mean watching how you move and asking you about your health and how much you do.

As a person gets older, their body’s systems change. Your joints might work differently, your muscles and bones might be more fragile, and your body might be more sensitive to pressure.

Medications

Tell your massage therapist if you take any drugs to help with your health. They can change the massage to fit the effects of the medicine.

Problems with Health

Before getting a massage, you should tell your massage therapist about any health problems you may have. Some of these are arthritis, cancer, heart problems, circulatory problems, diabetes, digestive problems, and heart problems. A  therapist must know about all health problems before giving a massage.

Temperature Regulation

As you get older, you might feel the heat and cold more. You might also find it hard to keep your body temperature steady.

Pain

As you age, you may feel pain differently because of things like less blood flow, a health condition, or a medicine.

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Why Choose Lana Life Care for Geriatric Care

When you need assistance caring for your elderly family members, the trained caregivers of Lana Life Care in Dubai provide professional care. By tailoring ultimate elderly care home services, Lana Life Care has a dedicated team offering the highest quality home healthcare services to individuals of all ages.

Depending on your health and specific needs, Lana Life Care provides services such as :

• Early detection of health issues, accurate assessment, and treatment of pain and other disorders. 
• Disease treatment, post-surgical care, and wound care.
• Professional care managers will coordinate and guide the patient’s care plan. 
• Methods and procedures for improving your health.
• Fall risk management and pressure sore management.
• Treatment of arthritis, management of dementia, and pharmaceutical administration.
• Processes and practices for pain management and damage recovery.

In-home Massage for Elderly

Lana Life Care also provides in-home massage services for older adults in Dubai. Nurses assist adults and seniors receiving home health care with daily routines and prescription administration. This makes it possible for senior folks to live dignified and fulfilling lives.

The elderly depend on their children, making life challenging for distant family members. They can, however, live freely with the assistance of nurses providing home health care. It is convenient and reliable. They are no longer reliant on their children in their daily life. Geriatric massage helps to create a sense of comfort and care.

FAQs

To Sum Up

Geriatric massage can assist relieve mood, tension, and discomfort, among other things. A massage therapist will consider your changing health needs before administering a treatment.

A usual geriatric massage may be shorter than a regular massage and use particular techniques based on your health history and present needs.

The health benefits of geriatric massage are extensive. It enhances blood flow, joint mobility, muscle tone and strength, and sleep quality. In addition to reducing pain and swelling, blood pressure, stress, fear, and anxiety, massage for seniors reduces inflammation and pain.