Older people are reaping the benefits of complementary therapies, writes Sylvia Thompson.
A quiet revolution is taking place in day and residential centres for older people in many parts of Ireland.
Over the past 10 years or so, expressive therapies such as art, music and reminiscence therapy have been unfolding older people's life experiences in a creative way. But, more recently, the addition of complementary therapies and practices such as t'ai chi, reflexology, aromatherapy, hand and foot massage and yoga are adding another dimension of care that is life-affirming and life-enhancing for older people.
One practice that has become particularly popular in day centres in east Wicklow and south Dublin is t'ai chi. The slow meditative sequences of movements were first introduced into day centres and active retirement groups following studies in Britain and the United States which found t'ai chi was good for preventing falls, improving balance and flexibility. The sense of wellbeing that participants gained from the classes were an added gain.
T'ai chi instructor Heather Darling gives weekly t'ai chi classes to people in their 70s, 80s and 90s in the Monkstown and Blackrock Day Centre in Monkstown, Co Dublin. "At all ages, we carry fears and t'ai chi helps people to learn how to deal with their fears. We talk about fears of falling, fears of being left on their own and fears of death. We also do balancing movements with the breath and visualisations," Darling says.
"The practice of t'ai chi helps to keep the mind and body nimble, healthy and clear. Even those who can't do all the movements pick up on the peace from the other participants. It is so powerfully healing and relaxing."
Elsie Stone (75) attended the t'ai chi classes in Monkstown. "The breathing exercises and the foot work were great. Sometimes I feel a bit stressed and it calmed me down," she says.
Kathleen McAteer (93) was another participant. "I had an abscess on my heel and it took three years to clear. I'm getting back to walking now and I find the t'ai chi did me good. I enjoyed the breathing exercises."
Phil Lyons, the psychiatric nurse who is the supervisor at the Monkstown and Blackrock Day Centre, says t'ai chi was the activity that everybody - including the staff - took part in. "The breathing, the spiritual side of it and the physical balance were all valuable. It's something that I can see being further developed," she says.
Our Lady's Hospice in Harold's Cross, Dublin was one of the first places in Ireland to offer complementary therapies to patients. Now, the older people in the extended care unit can avail of a range of therapies including aromatherapy, massage and reflexology.
"Complementary therapies were first introduced here in 1993 and integrated in the multidisciplinary care model at Our Lady's Hospice in 1998 when the Department of Complementary Therapies and Creative Art Therapies was set up," says Lylah Byrne, aromatherapist and massage therapist.
"Any member of the multidisciplinary care team can refer someone for a complementary therapy with the prior knowledge of their consultant and permission of the patient," she says. Up to 50 per cent of the older patients opt for some form of complementary therapy.
Byrne explains how touch therapies in particular can be of benefit: "The gentle touch of massage can cut through the boundaries of confusion and lack of understanding experienced by older people with dementia.
"It is also a non-verbal form of communication for stroke patients who can't explain how they are feeling. It offers people a safe space to cry and enjoy a body that isn't fully functional. The therapeutic relationship itself is very important."
Kay Daly is a reflexologist who runs a private clinic in the Glenaulin Nursing Home in Chapelizod, Dublin. She says the reflexology treatments are stress-relieving for people living in the nursing home.
"They are sitting a lot and reflexology improves the circulation to all areas of their bodies. Many older people are on a lot of medication so the treatment is also fighting against the side effects of medication."
People with Alzheimer's disease are also the recipients of complementary therapies at various day centres.
Andrea Lloyd is the services manager at the Alzheimer Society day centre and support services in Waterford City: "We offer hand and foot massage. It sounds like a simple thing to do but generally people get very few opportunities to touch.
"Also, for those who have lost their verbal abilities, it helps to use other senses such as touch and smell."
Sarah O'Callaghan of the Alzheimer Society says that for people with dementia, the benefit of complementary therapies is in how it improves their quality of life in the present moment.
"If you consider that dementia is a progressive condition for which there isn't a cure, you realise that a therapy that is person-centred and involves touch or involvement at some level really improves somebody's quality of life."
As Ireland faces larger numbers of older people with varying levels of ability and disability, many healthcare professionals expect that complementary therapies will become further integrated into the conventional care model in the future.