Precautions For Senior Massages

Video Transcript

"Welcome back! In this section we're going to be talking about Universal Precautions. There are things that you want to look out for when you're dealing with the elderly and ill. First of all when you get someone on the table you can ask them; one, do you need to use the restroom before we get started? In this case no and then the other thing you want to make sure that your hands are clean. The elderly and ill do not have an immune system as strong as everyone else and they can not fight off all the germs that most of us come into contact with. So if for example you are ill, then you shouldn't be seeing that client, if you absolutely need to see that client, then you should wear a mask over your face like surgeons wear and you absolutely have to wash your hands before laying them on that individual. Another thing to make sure of is your linens absolutely need to be cleaned. Don't use linens from one person to the next. Make sure the individual is at all times comfortable. Now, some of the elderly individuals or individuals that are ill will have a catheter or an IV and so you'll have to ask that individual or you'll see it. It's okay to work on a person that has this, you just need to take caution around that area of their body. Even if they have an IV in their arm, you can work above the IV and you can just apply compassionate touch just holding of the arm. You don't have to do any vigorous massage techniques on that arm. Another thing that you need to look out for are liaisons, if the individual has any open soars, then you definitely would want to work gloves, surgical gloves. You can work on an individual with surgical gloves, you just need to apply plenty of lotion to your hand or oil and I prefer lotion. Whatever it is that you use can be applied to the individual as longest they don't have any skin allergies. You need to make sure that you ask the client if they have any allergies to the oil you're using or the lotion. So the idea is to make sure that the client is comfortable, that you have their needs being met and that it's a safe environment as well."