Health intake, consent forms for hand/foot massage?

[Ragend]

I just graduated in September. I have partnered up with another grad to start our own business. We will focus on the elderly. To keep things simple for now, we will do 20 minute hand/foot massages at nursing homes.
We are marketing to the families of the nursing home residents.

When a family expresses interest, we would send them a "packet": Just an intro letter restating who we are, what we do, etc; the billing slip; a health intake form; and consent forms (doctor/client/guardian if needed). But in another thread, RoseofSharon believes this is really unnecessary.

What do you think? I tend to be highly detailed, and perhaps I'm overthinking all of this. I'm all about keeping things simple though! Since you are all "seasoned professionals", I hope you can help me with this! Thank you very much.

 

[wolfgang s]

I think a form similar to one used for a chair event could suffice.

You would have a mini consent paragraph on top and have a bunch of people sign below.

 

[Courtney Q]

Well, since I'm the one who questioned it, I should probably weigh in here.

I do work in nursing homes, senior apartments and assisted living centers. I have also worked as a CNA in a past life, all in nursing homes.

To do full body massages, I do have a consent form for the resident to sign. In the case of that resident being incapacitated - mentally or physically unable to sign, their family or a legal guardian fills it out and signs it. If there are conditions contraindicating massage, I send back a physician's release form that states that the client has chosen to receive massage, and requesting the physician specify limitations to the massage. With this form, no doctor has ever said NO massage. Some have said do not increase circulation (in cases of congestive heart failure, for instance), and some have said no pressure, but very light massage is fine. One even said hand, foot, scalp and face massage only, but all have okay'd massage for their patients. However, when I had my old form, asking permission for massage, nursing home (and even assisted living residents) clients with NO contraindicated conditions were told no to massage by their doctors, for no reason other than, "I can give you a pain medication". So, side note, here, some doctors are arrogant enough to not even consider allowing another health care provider to touch their patients, but when told this person has DECIDED, please tell me any SPECIFIC contraindications he/she may have, cooperation is much easier to gain.

But back to your question, lol. I do go into one assisted living home twice a month to provide short massages for whoever would like that. I check in with the nursing staff when I arrive, and they let me know who I should not offer massage to. That is who has a stomach virus right now, etc. I'm told if someone has an infected toe, which has happened once in the 2.5 years I've gone there, so that I will leave that foot alone. I have a note pad so I can write down specific instructions, but that rarely gets used, other than to remember *Mary* will be back in an hour, try not to forget her, etc. Then, I go to the living areas first, offer massage to whoever is there, then knock on room doors, offering massage. I do nothing that is medically contraindicated - hand, foot, sometimes shoulders or a sore leg. Mostly they are 5-10 minute massages, so I can see everyone. Since the management is paying and the resident is consenting or not consenting on the spot, there is nothing invasive in any way, family members are casually told that I do this. The response from family has been 100% "Thank you!!!!!!!!" They absolutely love that someone is going in regularly just to offer touch to their loved ones.

I started by sending letters to each home in the area, stating that I would like to work with the elderly, described the one situation I already was working, and enclose my brochures. I called back a week later to ask if I could meet with them and get them more brochures to give to residents and families. Most took me up on that. In the places where residents don't need a lot of care and make their own medical & social decisions, I met directly with the residents to see what they were interested in receiving. In those places, residents want full body massage, and I have a regular schedule, a sign up sheet, and go in with the table and sheets. Some places, the directors called to ask for paperwork for a specific resident, because the family loved the idea and was ready to pay for massage. Once, I even had a legal guardian who needed to spend down a lady's account, and thought that getting her weekly massage was a wonderful way to do that. In those cases, I had them fill out the intake forms, and only when there was a need (one client later fell and broke her shoulder) did I ask for a physician's release to be signed.

Overthinking is not a bad thing. Gather as much information as you can regarding the places you would like to work and the types of residents they have. Just remember, not all are frail, physically or mentally. All do need to be touched by someone who is not *doing* something TO them - medical procedures (even having BP taken) is NOT fulfilling a need to be touched. They need to be touched by someone who is not in a hurry to get them to bed and get on to the next resident. If all you offer is a hand massage, or resting your hands on their shoulders, you offer something wonderful. The fact that you are trained in massage therapy means you can offer touch that benefits emotionally AND physically. Don't be afraid to go for the physical benefits. Ease those aching shoulders, if you can. Help them stretch out that psoas (GENTLY!!! lol), if you can! Help get that head turning both ways again!

Present yourself as caring about the seniors, present how you can benefit them, present your experience with nursing home populations, then work to meet their needs. You can make money doing this, and the residents and their families AND the nursing home staff will be thrilled to see you.

Oh, and there are certain people who always say no when I ask if they would like some massage. I say okay, and converse with them for a minute or two about the weather, or the new bag on their wheelchair - whatever. They still feel cared for, and everyone sees that all are respected.

I hope this helps, and I hope I didn't get off on too many side trips, lol. I LOVE working with the elderly and the very elderly.

 

[Rachel S]

Wow, Sharon!

As always, you are so inspirational and so full of wonderful information!

You are so giving, so generous -- I truly believe that the elderly across the country and the world are benefitting from your efforts! Keep up the wonderful work!

We are SO lucky to have you here!

Hugs,

Sherry

 

[Rosanna]

Sharon-
Hi Hun!!! I was thinking of you when a friend of mine asked me about Daybreak Geriatric massage,ever heard of it?...it's a massage certification designed for the elderly,and is taught all over the country. I think you would benefit greatly from this,and thought I would infrom you of it.

Keep doing the work you are doing! I applaud you in your dedication to the elderly and the gift of touch!!!

Love and Light-
Johnny

 

[onederful2nite]

Thank you all!

and a special thanks to you Sharon for taking the time give me all that information. Give me time to really take it in, and then I'm sure I'll be back with questions. May I PM you sometime? I would greatly appreciate that.

My mother had a disabling stroke in 1999, leaving her paralyzed and speech impaired. But she isn't frail at all, like you said. And the times she has had to recouperate in a nursing home due to another stroke or surgery, I've really gotten comfortable around the elderly. This kind of work (elder massage) is something that is so very meaningful for me.

(P. S. My partner bought the homestudy course from Daybreak. It has a book and DVD. So far it's just okay. But we are not finished with it yet.)
So now I have a lot of thinking to do! Sharon, you are doing such a great job and I'm inspired. Thank you so much!

 

[Ruth velasquez]

Feel free to PM me anytime. I do know of Daybreak, and agree that it is beneficial for those not well acquainted with the geriatric population. Otherwise, it is a very good refresher course, and refreshers/reminders are always good.

I'm sorry to hear of your mom's struggles, but it is so nice to hear that you have been involved in her care and have become comfortable with the elderly. They have so much wisdom to give, if we just have time to hear them.

Thanks for the compliments, Sherry and Happy Karma! I do feel that I receive more than I give, so almost feel guilty about compliments...but I do love to share the joy of working with our elders!

 

[mebepat]

These are not just compliments, but kudos, Sharon! I think that you have done more to promote massage/touch for the elderly than anyone on MassagePlanetL. How I wish I had known what I know now when my parents were in a nursing home many years ago!

And, karminstant, you have had the perfect experience and background to do wonderful work in the geriatric field! So glad to have you aboard! You have wonderful goals . . . and can do so much good!

Okay, I am getting the warm fuzzies -- but I like it! I will heartily admit that my elderly clients are some of my favorite-est (I made that word up! ) clients of all!

Sherry

 

[Tony I]

I too like working with my "old ladies", although there is ocasionally an old man too!

Mu oldest client is now 100, and she gets 15 minutes of massage incorporating myofascial release every week. She says that when I work on her, she has no pain.

Another lady was delighted to find that MFR eases her hammer toe.

Yet another lady was amazed that I could help her with groin pain that she thought was due to her age. With MFR to her hips and SI joints, the pain went away.

They are so appreciative.

 

[Terri E]

I too like working with my "old ladies", although there is ocasionally an old man too!

Mu oldest client is now 100, and she gets 15 minutes of massage incorporating myofascial release every week. She says that when I work on her, she has no pain.

Another lady was delighted to find that MFR eases her hammer toe.

Yet another lady was amazed that I could help her with groin pain that she thought was due to her age. With MFR to her hips and SI joints, the pain went away.

They are so appreciative.

Isn't it AMAZING how much pain is attributed to "age", yet it can be relieved because it is due to the same cause my pain or your pain has - muscles that have been misused/abused/neglected!!

I have a 100 year old client, too. She's amazing. She has no memory loss or confusion, walks three times a day, lives alone and cares for herself - and credits me. I didn't even MEET her until she was 98.....I give the credit right back to her!!