| REFLEXOLOGY And so much more… |
Oran Aviv
On Thursday Feb. 21st, there was an unusual celebration at the Kfar Saba Senior Day Care
center. At a party with all the seniors at the center, eight caregivers of patients with
Alzheimer's/Dementia received their certificates for completing a course in Hand
Reflexology for Patients with Alzheimer's/Dementia.
The eight foreign caregivers, from the Philippines, Indian and Nepal are all live-in
caregivers for patients with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. The caregivers
participated in the Hand Reflexology course at the Kfar Saba Senior Day Center while
their charges were participating in activities at the center's dementia wing.
They met weekly for classes and then practiced on themselves, friends and eventually as
they became proficient, on their charges.
What is Reflexology?
Although Reflexology has been used for hundreds of years (evidence of Reflexology in
ancient Egypt is found in a hieroglyphic drawing in the doctor's tomb,) modern day
Reflexology is contributed to William Fitzgerald, an American physician who discovered
the correlation between reflex points in the hands and feet with the whole body. Fitzgerald
found that by working reflex points in the hands and feet one can help the whole body heal
itself.
Reflexology is a relaxing treatment that reduces stress and thus induces healing. A
Reflexologist uses her thumbs and fingers to apply pressure to the different Reflex points
on the hands and feet. By doing so, Reflexology can help the body heal itself of a wide
range of health imbalances.
Why Hand Reflexology?
Oran Aviv, a senior Reflexologist and graduate of the Israel Alzheimer's Activity Project
Course, teaches memory games and gives private Reflexology sessions in the Dementia
wing of the Kfar Saba Senior Center. Oran also taught the Hand Reflexology Course to the
caregivers.
"When I originally began giving Reflexology sessions to the patients with
Alzheimer's/Dementia I thought it would be easier to begin with Hand Reflexology rather
than working their feet because it would be easier for the patient with Dementia", tells
Oran. "I thought that after a few sessions, if the client felt comfortable, I would switch to
foot Reflexology, but the results from hand Reflexology were so good I decided to continue
just with the hands."
For a patient with Alzheimer's/Dementia the world can sometimes be very frightening.
Introducing something like Reflexology has to be done in a manner that is comfortable and
not threatening. When performing Hand Reflexology the Reflexologist and client sit
across from each other on chairs. There is constant facial contact and they can speak to
each other. This makes giving Reflexology to the patient with Alzheimer's/Dementia much
easier and does not cause unnecessary tension or anxiety.
The idea of teaching Caregivers Hand Reflexology
Two years ago JDC-ESHEL- The Association of the Planning and Development for
services for the Aged in Israel developed a pilot program to train Day Center staff in the
basics of Aromatherapy. Four staff members of the Kfar Saba Day Center participated in
the program. The Day Center then implemented the program by leading both group and
private sessions of simple hand massage. "When Oran offered her expertise in Reflexology
and volunteered her professional knowledge and training to expand and improve the
program it was a perfect fit" says Jeffrey Lieder, the Manager of the Day Center.
Jeffrey had recently returned from a professional tour of Day Care facilities in England and
France. "As advanced as Israel is in treating Alzheimer's patients, the Europeans place a
greater emphasis supporting the caregivers." The caregivers are those closest to the
patients with Alzheimer's/Dementia and probably know their moods best. Jeffrey thought
that the caregivers would be the ones who would be able to give Hand Reflexology to their
charges on a regular basis.
Techniques taught in the Caregiver course
During the course the caregivers learned the Reflexology meridians and basic mapping of
the hand, massage techniques, location of several reflex points on the hand and several
Reflexology techniques.
The main emphasis of the course was divided into several areas:
The caregivers learned to use the thumb walking technique for many of these reflexes.
They were also taught Lynn Booth's VRT technique of working the thumb nail with the
nail.
As the caregivers began using Hand Reflexology on their charges, they began favoring
specific techniques and reflex points over others. The techniques they seemed to favor
most were massage along the fingers, the thumb walking technique on the thumb and the
VRT nail to nail technique on the thumb nail. The caregivers reported that even if they did
these techniques for a few minutes they felt they helped their charges relax.
What are the benefits?
The caregivers reported various improvements in their charges. Many told of using
Reflexology to prevent anxiety if applied at the first signs of irritability. One woman with
dementia suffered from great irritability and anxiety everyday in the late afternoon – a
condition in dementia patients known as "sundowning". The family of the caregiver's
charge had paid a friend to come over and talk to this woman at this time of day in an
attempt to keep her from getting too irritable. The caregiver reported that since she began
giving Hand Reflexology to her charge when she wakes up from her nap, the woman is no
longer irritable in the afternoons and the family no longer needs to pay for this additional
person to come.
The caregivers also found that Hand Reflexology helped the patients with
Alzheimer's/Dementia sleep better. One woman with dementia began sleeping 7 – 8 hours
at night, where before receiving Hand Reflexology she only slept 5 hours a night. The
caregiver welcomed more sleep for herself as well and found that her charge was less
irritable and was fonder of her caregiver. Where in the past – the caregiver's charge
would tell her to "Go away", she now told her that she loved her and that she was like her
"doctor" because she made her feel better.
Another caregiver reported that her charge had an improvement in her digestive system.
Before Hand Reflexology this women suffered from constipation and would only go to the
bathroom 2 times a week. Since the caregiver began giving her Hand Reflexology, the
woman she is in charge of now has a bowel movement regularly every day.
One caregiver felt an improvement in the condition of her charge who has more advanced
stage Alzheimer's. She was able to let her charge feed herself for the first time. Until then
the caregiver has had to spoon feed her.
Not all of the caregivers saw drastic improvements in their charges and some of the
patient's with Alzheimer's/ Dementia did not want Hand Reflexology. Some of the
caregivers were very creative in finding ways to give Hand Reflexology – such as giving
short Hand Reflexology while they washed their charge's hands or cut their fingernails.
A side benefit of the course is the emotional support the foreign workers gained in the
learning experience. They reported feeling more valued and appreciated by their
employers.
Many of the caregivers asked to learn specific reflex points that might help some of their
own health issues or those of their families. Many of them were happy to learn how to
relieve lower back pain which many of them suffer from the physical labor involved in
their job. One caregiver from the Philippines asked how to use Reflexology to relieve her
daughter's headaches. She has not seen her 13 year old daughter in 3 years and this was a
way for her to care for her daughter from afar, by explaining to her how to work the reflex
points.
The investment made in training the foreign workers improved their feeling of self worth
and their tremendous pride was evident to all when they were rewarded with their
certificates.
Future
Hopefully this will be the first of more Hand Reflexology courses for caregivers. The
center is also considering opening a course to teach Hand Reflexology to spouses and
family members of patients with Alzheimer's/Dementia.
Treating and dealing with Alzheimer's/Dementia is one of the more daunting tasks of our
generation. Society must be willing to explore any and all avenues in its search for
solutions. It is critical that we allow the patient to guide us.
Oran Aviv also works at her private clinic in Kfar Saba. She can be reached at
oran@reflexandmore.com or through her web site at http://www.reflexandmore.com
The Kfar Saba Senior Day Center is located at 4 Tel Hai. For more information about
their programs please call: (09)767-5001
Other Articles
Home
center. At a party with all the seniors at the center, eight caregivers of patients with
Alzheimer's/Dementia received their certificates for completing a course in Hand
Reflexology for Patients with Alzheimer's/Dementia.
The eight foreign caregivers, from the Philippines, Indian and Nepal are all live-in
caregivers for patients with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. The caregivers
participated in the Hand Reflexology course at the Kfar Saba Senior Day Center while
their charges were participating in activities at the center's dementia wing.
They met weekly for classes and then practiced on themselves, friends and eventually as
they became proficient, on their charges.
What is Reflexology?
Although Reflexology has been used for hundreds of years (evidence of Reflexology in
ancient Egypt is found in a hieroglyphic drawing in the doctor's tomb,) modern day
Reflexology is contributed to William Fitzgerald, an American physician who discovered
the correlation between reflex points in the hands and feet with the whole body. Fitzgerald
found that by working reflex points in the hands and feet one can help the whole body heal
itself.
Reflexology is a relaxing treatment that reduces stress and thus induces healing. A
Reflexologist uses her thumbs and fingers to apply pressure to the different Reflex points
on the hands and feet. By doing so, Reflexology can help the body heal itself of a wide
range of health imbalances.
Why Hand Reflexology?
Oran Aviv, a senior Reflexologist and graduate of the Israel Alzheimer's Activity Project
Course, teaches memory games and gives private Reflexology sessions in the Dementia
wing of the Kfar Saba Senior Center. Oran also taught the Hand Reflexology Course to the
caregivers.
"When I originally began giving Reflexology sessions to the patients with
Alzheimer's/Dementia I thought it would be easier to begin with Hand Reflexology rather
than working their feet because it would be easier for the patient with Dementia", tells
Oran. "I thought that after a few sessions, if the client felt comfortable, I would switch to
foot Reflexology, but the results from hand Reflexology were so good I decided to continue
just with the hands."
For a patient with Alzheimer's/Dementia the world can sometimes be very frightening.
Introducing something like Reflexology has to be done in a manner that is comfortable and
not threatening. When performing Hand Reflexology the Reflexologist and client sit
across from each other on chairs. There is constant facial contact and they can speak to
each other. This makes giving Reflexology to the patient with Alzheimer's/Dementia much
easier and does not cause unnecessary tension or anxiety.
The idea of teaching Caregivers Hand Reflexology
Two years ago JDC-ESHEL- The Association of the Planning and Development for
services for the Aged in Israel developed a pilot program to train Day Center staff in the
basics of Aromatherapy. Four staff members of the Kfar Saba Day Center participated in
the program. The Day Center then implemented the program by leading both group and
private sessions of simple hand massage. "When Oran offered her expertise in Reflexology
and volunteered her professional knowledge and training to expand and improve the
program it was a perfect fit" says Jeffrey Lieder, the Manager of the Day Center.
Jeffrey had recently returned from a professional tour of Day Care facilities in England and
France. "As advanced as Israel is in treating Alzheimer's patients, the Europeans place a
greater emphasis supporting the caregivers." The caregivers are those closest to the
patients with Alzheimer's/Dementia and probably know their moods best. Jeffrey thought
that the caregivers would be the ones who would be able to give Hand Reflexology to their
charges on a regular basis.
Techniques taught in the Caregiver course
During the course the caregivers learned the Reflexology meridians and basic mapping of
the hand, massage techniques, location of several reflex points on the hand and several
Reflexology techniques.
The main emphasis of the course was divided into several areas:
- 1. Working the fingers to stimulate head/brain
2. Working the digestive system
3. Working the respiratory system
4. Techniques and reflex points to reduce anxiety
The caregivers learned to use the thumb walking technique for many of these reflexes.
They were also taught Lynn Booth's VRT technique of working the thumb nail with the
nail.
As the caregivers began using Hand Reflexology on their charges, they began favoring
specific techniques and reflex points over others. The techniques they seemed to favor
most were massage along the fingers, the thumb walking technique on the thumb and the
VRT nail to nail technique on the thumb nail. The caregivers reported that even if they did
these techniques for a few minutes they felt they helped their charges relax.
What are the benefits?
The caregivers reported various improvements in their charges. Many told of using
Reflexology to prevent anxiety if applied at the first signs of irritability. One woman with
dementia suffered from great irritability and anxiety everyday in the late afternoon – a
condition in dementia patients known as "sundowning". The family of the caregiver's
charge had paid a friend to come over and talk to this woman at this time of day in an
attempt to keep her from getting too irritable. The caregiver reported that since she began
giving Hand Reflexology to her charge when she wakes up from her nap, the woman is no
longer irritable in the afternoons and the family no longer needs to pay for this additional
person to come.
The caregivers also found that Hand Reflexology helped the patients with
Alzheimer's/Dementia sleep better. One woman with dementia began sleeping 7 – 8 hours
at night, where before receiving Hand Reflexology she only slept 5 hours a night. The
caregiver welcomed more sleep for herself as well and found that her charge was less
irritable and was fonder of her caregiver. Where in the past – the caregiver's charge
would tell her to "Go away", she now told her that she loved her and that she was like her
"doctor" because she made her feel better.
Another caregiver reported that her charge had an improvement in her digestive system.
Before Hand Reflexology this women suffered from constipation and would only go to the
bathroom 2 times a week. Since the caregiver began giving her Hand Reflexology, the
woman she is in charge of now has a bowel movement regularly every day.
One caregiver felt an improvement in the condition of her charge who has more advanced
stage Alzheimer's. She was able to let her charge feed herself for the first time. Until then
the caregiver has had to spoon feed her.
Not all of the caregivers saw drastic improvements in their charges and some of the
patient's with Alzheimer's/ Dementia did not want Hand Reflexology. Some of the
caregivers were very creative in finding ways to give Hand Reflexology – such as giving
short Hand Reflexology while they washed their charge's hands or cut their fingernails.
A side benefit of the course is the emotional support the foreign workers gained in the
learning experience. They reported feeling more valued and appreciated by their
employers.
Many of the caregivers asked to learn specific reflex points that might help some of their
own health issues or those of their families. Many of them were happy to learn how to
relieve lower back pain which many of them suffer from the physical labor involved in
their job. One caregiver from the Philippines asked how to use Reflexology to relieve her
daughter's headaches. She has not seen her 13 year old daughter in 3 years and this was a
way for her to care for her daughter from afar, by explaining to her how to work the reflex
points.
The investment made in training the foreign workers improved their feeling of self worth
and their tremendous pride was evident to all when they were rewarded with their
certificates.
Future
Hopefully this will be the first of more Hand Reflexology courses for caregivers. The
center is also considering opening a course to teach Hand Reflexology to spouses and
family members of patients with Alzheimer's/Dementia.
Treating and dealing with Alzheimer's/Dementia is one of the more daunting tasks of our
generation. Society must be willing to explore any and all avenues in its search for
solutions. It is critical that we allow the patient to guide us.
Oran Aviv also works at her private clinic in Kfar Saba. She can be reached at
oran@reflexandmore.com or through her web site at http://www.reflexandmore.com
The Kfar Saba Senior Day Center is located at 4 Tel Hai. For more information about
their programs please call: (09)767-5001
Other Articles
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| Caregivers Learn Hand Reflexology to Help Patients with Alzheimer's/Dementia Published in Hebrew March 2009 in "Gimlaton" |
