Is swedish massage good for the elderly?

[Staci Lancaster]

I work in a residential home and im going to be doin a swedish body massage course and was wondering if it was any good for the elderly.

 

[The Tank]

This is the sort of question that you really should be asking your instructor.

Bear in mind that it's the physical condition of your client rather than their age that affects the sort of massage they can take. Also, remember that not all physical conditions show up from the outside.

 

[Vahid]

Massage can be especially helpful for the problems that most people experience as they grow older. Gentle massage can be used to soothe conditions such as muscle stiffness and soreness, loss of flexibility, arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, and help with respiratory disorders such as asthma and emphysema. But, perhaps most important of all, for elderly people who have lost their partners and live alone, massage provides the sense of nurturing that comes from being gently and respectfully touched. Elderly people with Alzheimer's or who have had a stroke and find it hard to communicate verbally benefit greatly from massage.
Very frail or modest clients can benefit just as much from a foot, hand or face massage as they might from an all-over body massage. It's important to make sure that the therapist is told about any medication the elderly client is taking.