What is Compassionate Touch?

What is the difference between Compassionate Touch and other modalities?

The difference between Compassionate Touch and other modalities such as Geriatric Massage or Healing Touch is that Compassionate Touch was founded on a relationship model.  It combines focused touch and sensitive massage with specialized communication skills and the intension is to improve the quality of life for hospice and palliative care patients and elders in long term care.

Why is massage therapy growing in popularity in long term care facilities, hospitals and hospices?

You may be hearing more about massage in long term care facilities, hospitals and hospice. With our population aging, we must best serve the eldercare and hospice needs and provide what consumers expect.

Why is Compassionate Touch training held in eldercare facilities?

Compassionate Touch training is always held in an eldercare facility.  The reason is because being in the environment and actually having hands-on sessions with elders is a very important aspect of the experience that we offer for those who attend.  

Why are Compassionate Touch credentials Important to practitioners? 

Compassionate Touch training meets the three main criteria nursing home administrators hospice directors look for when they consider hiring or contracting with massage therapists to work in eldercare and hospice. 

Why do massage therapists choose to serve those in hospice and palliative care or eldercare? 

The three most common reasons therapists choose to serve those in eldercare, hospice and palliative care are:  Having had a personal experience as a family caregiver and realized the value massage and  recognized it as something that could become part of their massage services.  Other therapists have been practicing for a number of years and are looking for techniques that require less wear and tear on the body and understand that working with elders is a way to extend longevity of their career.  The most common reason therapists choose Compassionate Touch training is a feeling drawn or called to want to serve this special population. 

Can other healthcare professionals attend Compassionate Touch training? 

Yes! Other healthcare professionals and caregivers often attend Compassionate Touch workshops, especially  Level 1 Workshops.  Nurses, nurse assistants, and activities professionals, among others are well-suited for our training attend and benefit from learning new skills and leave with new awareness about the power of touch in their own work.

What are the employment opportunities for Compassionate Touch Practitioners? 

We see a lot of growth in both eldercare and hospice in hiring massage therapists to be among their care providers.  Your timing has never been better.  Now  more Americans are entering their senior years (approximately 10,000 turn 65 every day) and as this rapidly growing segment ages, this means additional opportunity for caregiving in eldercare and hospice facilities.