Hospice massage provides comfort, one touch at a time - The Gazette: Eastern Iowa Breaking...

[massage]

May 5, 2016 at 9:20 pm | Print View

At the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, massage therapist Cindy Staton greeted Janice Slater, 86, asked about her pain, and slowly rubbed her back as they talk about the day.

They discussed a friendly dog who had recently visited and his owner, Slater’s conversation with her pastor earlier that day and a small family of ducks making their home in the Hospice House courtyard. As they talked, Staton gently stroked Slater’s arms, legs and feet with a soothing touch.

This is massage therapy for hospice — a specialized service offered by Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, which runs the Hospice House of Mercy, as well as at other area hospices, including UnityPoint Hospice.

Massage for hospice patients is different from other kinds of massage. There is no deep tissue work or hard kneading out of knots here.

“It’s not a medical massage, it’s more about comfort and presence,” Staton said. “Generally at this point in life, it’s about providing comfort.”

The sense of touch, she said, is key.

“We come into this world with people touching and loving us, and I think it’s important we go out with people comforting us,” she said.

She coordinates Mercy’s hospice massage program, which serves patients staying at Hospice House, as well as people living in surrounding communities. She travels up to 60 miles providing services in private residences and nursing homes. She is full time, with three others working part time.

“A lot of people in hospice may not experience touch except when they’re moved from their bed to a chair,” said Hospice of Mercy patient care coordinator Jodee Gaines.

She said a massage can help manage pain and calm people who are having trouble breathing.

“It’s just about treating the whole patient,” she said.

Hospice House has been a boon for Slater. Staff members do everything possible to make her comfortable and keep her spirits up, she said, and a massage is part of that.

“This is the best place for any discomfort or sickness or confusion,” she said. “If your mind has a low day, they stop you from going down into a hole you can’t get out of.”

Staton, who also is a singer, often adds music to her massage services, though she stresses what she does is not music therapy — a different service offered by many hospices.

What Staton does is sing hymns and other songs at patient’s requests.

“I like to say that my hands massage the body, while my voice massages the soul,” she said.

As she rubbed Slater’s arms, legs and feet, she sang “I Love You Lord” and “Blessed Assurance.” Slater mouthed along silently before requesting a secular favorite — “This Land is Your Land.” As Staton sang the first few bars, Slater wiped tears from her eyes.

“What’s special about that song to you?” Staton asked.

“Just that it’s the true America,” Slater replied.

Staton ended by lightly stroking her hair and forehead, Slater’s eyes closed in relaxation.

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