CAREGIVER SUPPORT

CAREGIVER SUPPORT: A Good Kind of Pressure

When the right touch is the right stuff

By:Eric Feil

Massage is becoming an increasingly popular approach to wellness for patients with diabetes, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, as well as stroke victims and people confined to wheelchairs. “As people live longer, and live with more health challenges,” says Sharon Puszko, PhD, CMT, owner and director of the Day-Break Geriatric Massage Institute in Indianapolis, “geriatric massage is becoming an increasingly important area.”

This isn’t your everyday shoulder rub. Therapists should be trained in specialized techniques to ensure their knowledge of how to handle age-affected skin and muscle. “It’s not just light-touch Swedish massage,” notes Dr. Puszko. “There are specific modalities for wheelchair patients and those with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. For people with diabetes, it’s wonderful for circulation in
the feet and legs. It can help bedridden patients avoid pressure sores. There are many advantages.”

For Alzheimer’s patients, “the brain may not be working as well as it had, but the skin and muscles are often still alive and well,” she says. “Massage can aid in circulation and release endorphins. You can see their faces light up and color fill their cheeks. There have been cases where patients who haven’t spoken in ages all of a sudden will say, ‘That feels good.’ It’s incredible.”

Consult a doctor before starting massage therapy. Make sure one’s skin, muscles and bones are ready for physical manipulation, and that altering circulation won’t adversely impact medication flow. “A half-hour is the most you want to do,” advises Dr. Puszko. “More than that can release too many toxins into the body.”

Dr. Puszko stresses the psychological boons of massage. It not only offers the “physical contact many people—particularly seniors—lack,” she says, but it also establishes a time for patients to be with someone who will be attentive. “Having someone to gently hold their hand and listen to their concerns, problems and interests can work wonders.”

ISSUES OF CONTROL (BY: CAREGIVER.COM)

“Issues of Control”

by Kate Murphy, RN

This week I would like to talk a little bit about control issues in caregiving. Control is probably one of the most important things our loved one can lose. When physical, or emotional challenges hamper our ability to maintain control in our lives, it can be a very disheartening and sometimes defeating situation for both caregiver and care receiver. 

We all adapt and alter priorities in our lives as circumstances bring about changes that affect the way in which we are able to manage our activities of daily living. Have you ever been ill, or laid up for even a brief time? How frustrating was it for you to have to wait for someone else to take you to the store, or a doctor’s appointment, or even have a meal? It is not pleasant. We can get very frustrated when our lives are disrupted for even a few days. Imagine then how you would feel if these limitations that prevent you from doing what you want when you want it were a permanent part of your life.

 Is it any wonder why at times our loved ones get a bit cranky, or seem at other times to deliberately cancel plans? For them, it is just one small way in which they can maintain some control in their life. When there is little opportunity to assert your own control, even what might seem to be a small thing to us, can become a very important issue to our loved one. I would urge you to keep communication open during these times. By letting each other know how you are feeling, you may find the control issues become less important. Life is too short to waste precious time being frustrated or upset. Enjoy each moment of the time you have with your loved one. It will serve to help you through the days ahead when he or she is no longer with you.

FREE MASSAGE…

OPENING OF Holistic Massage Therapy only at CHP Dagupan

TO RESERVE SLOT, PLEASE CALL AT 5232046 OR TXT 0918-9342188 FOR FREE WHOLE BODY MASSAGE 

HOLISTIC MASSAGE THERAPY

Holistic comes from the Greek word “holos” meaning, whole. Its approach to treatments takes into account a person’s whole being (mind,body and spirit) not only ailment. Everything we do in our daily lives affects our whole body in which we can suffer from working in an ucomfortable environment or being under pressure because of stress.

Holistic approach is important because it treats every person individually and in context of their own life. This helps the person to improve their health themselves through encouragement by holistic therapist, thus re-establishing the body’s equilibrium or balance in our body.

BENEFITS OF HOLISTIC MASSAGE

• stress reduction

• relief from muscular pain

• total relaxation

• improved immunity function

• improvement in physical and mental fatigue

• improvement in toxin elimination

• improved circulation

• decrease in high blood pressure

• improved breathing

• improved bowel movement and reduction of IBS symptoms

• improved sleep

• improved concentration

• increased clarity of thought

• increased energy levels

• improved posture

• relief from eye strain, headaches and migraine

CHP Latest News

CHP Dagupan Now on Its 4th Year

“Because We Care for the Caregiver”


This is CHP Dagupan’s theme for its 4th year Anniversary celebration on March 10-14, 2008, a way of giving recognition and importance to its caregiver trainees and graduates who have been extending professional care to their clients and patients.

A whole day of free training seminar was attended by the trainees and graduates on March 11. Mr. Medarlo Barongan a Certified Nurse Aide and a Licensed Massage Therapist from San Diego, USA who’s been in the country for further studies, gave a very inspiring orientation and testimony about working in a healthcare facility in the US. He shared about how important it is for a caregiver to have a personal mission and passion to work in a foreign country and not just for the financial compensation and material satisfaction. He noted that C.H.P. is a good acronym for Compassion, Harmony and Positive Attitude. These qualities are what he believes have helped him to attain success and fulfillment in his chosen profession

Mr. Barongan also demonstrated a sample of holistic massage therapy with one of the students as a volunteer. CHP plans to add massage therapy training soon as part of its enhancement program for the caregivers.

After the very enriching morning session, the students enjoyed another treat: a free stress management lecture and relaxation exercises in the afternoon. They learned about breathing and practical yoga exercises and mediation. Stress Management is actually part of the Personality Development module in the Caregiver Program.

CHP Dagupan shall continue to advocate this kind of approach in its training program. CHP has always believed that producing world-class healthcare professionals are not just about excellence and quality training but also inculcation of values: positive attitude, professionalism and integrity. CHP graduates who