{"id":15421,"date":"2019-11-11T08:44:06","date_gmt":"2019-11-11T08:44:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brainsparks.com.au\/?p=15421"},"modified":"2019-11-11T08:46:35","modified_gmt":"2019-11-11T08:46:35","slug":"the-importance-of-touch-in-caregiving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brainsparks.com.au\/the-importance-of-touch-in-caregiving\/","title":{"rendered":"The Importance of Touch in Caregiving"},"content":{"rendered":"

Touch is an important part of our wellbeing as it calms us and lets us know that someone cares<\/span><\/a>. This is true from birth right through to old age.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When we reach old age, touch can have a certain healing power. However, many older adults do not experience the feeling of touch on a daily basis, which can lead to (or emphasise) feelings of social isolation and depression.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important that elderly people in our care feel connected and looked after. There are a number of ways to incorporate touch into caregiving to improve the quality of life of someone in your care.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Do The Elderly Need Regular Touch?<\/h2>\n

A <\/span>lack of human touch can have significant consequences<\/span><\/a> that are both psychological and emotional. Older adults are at risk of a lack of touch, particularly those that are living in long-term aged care, and those living with dementia. Most of the \u2018touch’ that these people experience is typically from the caregivers who are assisting them. Even though this touch may be carried out in a gentle and caring way, the older person still associates it with their obligations to carry out routine procedures and tasks for their care.<\/span><\/p>\n

Older adults need informal, emotional touch that gives them feelings of warmth, security, and comfort.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Older Adults Often Do Not Receive Regular Touch<\/h2>\n

There are a number of reasons why older adults lose the experience of touch as they age:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n