When providing massage for the older
adult, it is important to ascertain if your client is fit and robust or frail.
This determination will help you formulate more appropriate treatment
plans. Be sure to take into consideration other factors such as pre-existing conditions or medication use.
So how do you measure fitness and
frailty? Rate your clients using the following checklist.
□ Low
level of physical activity. This is
the most significant risk factor of frailty in older adults and contributes to
the remaining factors.
□ Sarcopenia. Age-related muscular atrophy.
□ Weakness. Evidenced by loss of grip strength
□ Self-reported
exhaustion. The client may state that he or
she is frequently tired or has persistent fatigue.
□ Slow
walking speed. Slow walking speed in older adults
is also strongly associated with increased risk of
neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases.
SCORE CARD:
0: Your client is fit and robust. In
general, robust clients can receive a traditional and more vigorous massage.
1-2: Your client is prefrail. Use
your judgment about pressure and length of treatment.
3-5: Your client is frail and benefits
more from slower, gentler massage and shorter treatment times.
More information about Aging
and Massage for the Elderly is found in chapter 16, Salvo SG. Mosby’s
Pathology for Massage Therapists, ed 3, St Louis, 2012, Mosby (not yet
published).
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