Woman Receiving a Facial Massage
Alzheimer’s is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and worsens over the passage of time. The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is poorly understood, which is why there is no authentic cause identified yet. However, 70% of the risk is believed to be genetic. Some other risks that can lead to Alzheimer’s at some stage of life include the history of head injuries, depression, or hypertension. As the tangles in brain increase, the diseases processes and gets severe. A probable diagnosis of the disease is based on the history of the illness and cognitive testing with lots of blood tests and medical imaging to rule out other possible causes.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s
The initial symptoms of the disease are usually mistaken as the signs of aging. However, as the disease progresses; possible symptoms are:
- Language problems
- Disorientation
- Mood swings
- Loss of motivation
- Unable to manage self-care
- Behavioral issues
- Withdrawal from family and society
At the later stages of disease; some of the obvious symptoms are:
-
- Loss of bodily functions
- Severe memory loss
The exact diagnosis of the problem can be made after examining the brain tissues. Sadly, there are no supplements or medications that can decrease the risk once the symptoms start showing. Mental and physical exercises can slow down the development process of the disease but cannot prevent diseases.
How is massage helpful for Alzheimer Patients?
Alzheimer patients need care and love from their friends and family. It is the only thing that can bring them to life. Affection is a key factor in treating any kind of illness; physical, mental or emotional. However, massages can be really helpful as well. A friendly touch is extremely soothing for Alzheimer patients. Therapeutic massages are a natural way to calm agitated Alzheimer patients. Alzheimer is a form of dementia, and for all dementia patients touch has turned out to be comforting and encouraging. Under a study, an Alzheimer patient was inquired about how he feels about being touched? He said that they need to be touched gently not only when they are babies but for their whole life.
Here are some amazing benefits of therapeutic massage for Alzheimer patients.
The quality of life – massages enhance the quality of life for Alzheimer patients. It helps them to relax, and sleep better. According to a well-known massage therapist, massage gives psychosocial benefits to the patient. However, when you touch a patient and massage with lotions; it soothes the skin and increases the blood circulation. This way the medicines effect better and nerves remain relaxed.
Memory loss – as the blood circulation improves, the process of memory loss slows down. When an Alzheimer patient gets regular massages, positive progress can be seen in memory loss. A ten-minute massage at the right place can be relaxing and comforting for the patient.
Disruptive behavior – massages have positive effects on other symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Not only hand massage but massaging chairs also have same level of benefits for Alzheimer’s patients. Massages are quite effective on disruptive behavior and wandering habits of the patient.
Lost dignity – touch is something a patient needs. It is a natural behavior that when a person is sick, he feels unwanted and undesirable. So, massages can bring back their lost dignity. It develops a bond a trust between the therapist and the patient.
Interaction – massages help the Alzheimer patients to interact easily. The confidence they lose due to being sick can be retrieved by talking to them. Massages give them the confidence to interact with other people so they can express their feelings and thoughts.
Endorphin levels – as massages improve the blood circulation, endorphin levels are raised. Endorphin contributes towards the overall health of the body.
Brain activity – the boost in blood flow due to therapeutic massage improves the brain activity of the patient. It makes them active and more aware of their health status.
No perfect treatment plan is designed for Alzheimer’s. However, there are always ways to soothe the patients and retain their confidence and dignity.
THIS GUEST POST WAS WRITTEN BY JENNY HARRISON
I’ve never realized how many ways massage can be beneficial to a person with Alzheimer’s yet now that you spell it out, it totally makes sense.
Karen @BakingInATornado recently posted…Apple Cider Chive Potato Salad: Blog With Friends
Just so interesting understanding the therapeutic results from massage! My Mother seemed to enjoy hand massages.
Haralee recently posted…What’s Mine is Mine, What’s Yours is Mine, A Cat’s Life
These days I could use a massage myself 😉 Thanks for the useful info. BTW it’s been a while I’ve seen you on my blog, Rena? Something happened? xx Abby
Abby@Midlifecrsisisnut recently posted…25 Ironically Funny Facts About Life
And here I was flailing at the computer trying to figure out what to get my mother-in-law. You are a godsend, Rena, in sooo many ways.
Thank you for sharing such an informative article. I didn’t know therapeutic massage can be helpful for Alzheimer patients. Anyways, good read! Thank you for this info.
I read and know the good useful information from your post. Thanks for sharing such a post.
Hello Rena, it’s good to know that therapeutic massage can be useful for Alzheimer patients. With the help of massage therapy, the patient gets psychosocial benefits. Thanks for sharing such informative blog with us.
There are various benefits of massage. It removes fatigue and pains, increases vision, produces good body, good sleep, and good skin. It eliminates toxins out of the body from the skin.
Absolutely agree on the benefits of massage. Your amazing insightful information entails much to me, to massage lovers and especially for people with health problems.
Taking massage is a good thing as it benefits our health in several ways. It helps our body in relaxing and makes us feel better. It also helps in increasing the joint flexibility, and makes our joints more flexible. It is also helpful in getting relief from a pain in our body.
Massage stimulates me the nervous system, enhance immune system and Improves blood circulation, that’s why I LOVE it!
Massage therapy is very beneficial for our health. It will be good to take massage therapy once in a month. It will help you to reduce anxiety and depression. You can read more benefits of massage at https://massagetherapyboulder.com/blog/massage-therapy/benefits-of-massage-therapy-for-anxiety-and-depression/
George Vilka recently posted…Back Massage Therapy For Chronic Back Pain Relief
Massaging is the oldest techniques for removing body stress. It is the best option for health improvement. Taking massaging with a massage chair is a nice idea.
Johnnie Bowling recently posted…Best Massage Chair for the Money of 2019 Complete Reviews with Comparison
Love this post. Massaging is very essential to keep a fresh mind and it helps to remove body stress. I love massages that help to get better mode and healthier.
Miko recently posted…MASSAGE AWAY FOOT PAIN WITH AT-HOME REMEDIES
I love my massages too! Thanks for your comments.
This is great to hear! I’ve heard all sorts of things that can possibly help Alzheimers. I know that they actually might be close to coming up with a vaccine for it. I didn’t even realize it could be something you could vaccinate yourself against. I thought it was a progressive disease that had more to do with genetics. Regardless massage helps in so many ways.
My grandmother had Alzheimer’s so I know firsthand how detrimental it is. We did not try head massage on her…maybe we should have?
Thanks for sharing this! I am a big believer in massage and this is wonderful to hear how healing it is for this awful disease.
It was really interesting to learn that a massage is an effective tool for calming agitated Alzheimer patients. My husband’s grandma is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and so his parents are looking for ways of making her comfortable. I’ll be sure to pass along this recommendation!