Massage or Zyprexa….which would you prefer?
Nice article from the Wall Stree Journal about massage therapy being used in lieu of antipsychotic medications on the elderly. It seems there is success in using alternatives to drugs on the elderly and it more aligns with what we nurses like to do for our patients. Hands on nursing is the most gratifying aspect of what we do. With a little training, we have license to put our hands on our geriatric patients and ease their pains and discomfort. For all we know, it’s these little nagging pains that exacerbates demenita or mental agitation. I’m just specualting here but what if we find out that human physical contact -massage, hugs, and touching - all contribute to our mental health? What if - we find out that touching and massage can “reset” the neurons and calm mental agitation? Sort of blows the chemical imbalance or brain abnormality theories out of the water, right? But what do I know…I’m just a nurse.
I’m one for statistics and evidence based outcomes. So, here is what I think about this:
“The results are startling. Nationwide, some 30% of nursing-home patients are put on antipsychotics, according to federal data, but Providence Rest has cut its own use down to 2% or 3%. That’s the lowest rate of any nursing home in New York, and among the lowest in the country, according to the New York Association of Homes & Services for the Aging.” WSJ