Anyone work nursing homes assisted living etc..?

[Peace]

When I 1st decided to get into massage I was an Alzheimer unit coordinator, and realized how important touch was to these people.  I quit my job to go to MT school. (i was under paid and overworked) Anyway,  5 yrs later, I have not worked with this population and was wondering if anyone does, and how that is going. How did you present yourself to the HR department? How do they pay you? any other tips to starting back in to the geriatric population? Thanks!

 

[Fex]

Anyone work nursing homes assisted living etc.

I have done some volunteer work through the nursing home in my town.  I just called the main office and said who I was and what I was interested in doing, they connected me to the right person and luckily she was all about it.My situation was I was just going to go there and do some basic massage and compassionate touch but found that most residents didnt want me to work on them if I couldnt "fix" their knee or their back.  I did find some who loved it and really made some great bonds, but I have been selfish and havent had much time (or really made the time) to go there for quite a while  :'(  I miss my girls.I would say just call and talk the HR person.  Maybe work as an IC?  One of my clients there had her family pay for her weekly sessions there, but family like that I am sure is hard to come by. Sad but true.   Thats really great that that is where your heart is in this field - it definately will make a difference in many people lives.  

 

[tennis97girl]

Anyone work nursing homes assisted living etc.

I've been working with a patient in a nursing home for the past 2 months who had a stroke last Jan.  I had given his wife a massg. a yr. or so ago when I worked in a salon, and so she hired me.   The administrator of the nursing home approached me to see if I was interested in doing massg for other families who have loved ones there.  He is breaking new ground and we have an appt. to talk next wk. I am very concerned about a lot of issues that I will bring up at our meeting.   :-/Things like: 1.  Cleanliness, is it wrong for me to only want to work on freshly bathed cts?  2.   Liability.  If I remain an independent contractor, which I would, who is liable if a pt. or family member gets upset about a treatment? 3. Table.  Since I'd be an independent contractor, do I bring my table or should they supply one?4.  Would I be within my rights to insist that a family member or staff be present with those who are not fully cognizant?Any of you who have had any experience with these issues and may have some good questions for me to ask and to consider, pls. reply.Just to clarify.  Working in a nursing home is NOT my passion.  In fact, it would've been the last place I would've considered.  I see this as an adjunct to my home-based business, and my traveling spa.  However, I want to keep my options open, and opportunities to meet more people.  I have found it rewarding to work on my ct. each wk. but want to walk through this door very carefully.  I would love to hear the pros and cons.

 

[working girl]

Anyone work nursing homes assisted living etc.

Thanks for your reply...i guess I can answer a few of your questions, although it has been a few yrs since I worked in a nh. A lot of residents think of massage as being sexual, and need to be educated further. When I worked there i only worked arms and legs in their own bed. A big concern is the elderly skin! It bruises and breaks EASY, so light effleurage was all it took. make sure a nurse/dr. helps with any contraindications . when I think of more tips i will post later...gotta run for now!