Complementary Therapies for the Elderly

At Waltham House Care Home, Grimsby, we are proud of our dedication to complementary therapies for the elderly. Both our resident’s physical health and wellbeing are of paramount importance to us. And as such, our care planning process works with residents, their families and carers to ascertain their needs in terms of both medical care and complementary therapy too.

What are Complementary Therapies for the Elderly?

Complementary Therapies for the Elderly are in addition to medical therapies and practices. They can range from practices such as aromatherapy, music therapy and animal assisted therapy. Although there is very little research and evidence that complementary therapies actually cure illness for example; the benefits to wellbeing and mental health are abundant.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy uses fragrant, natural oils to aid relaxation, either through breathing or massage therapy, creams or added to a hot bath. The Bupa Website says “NICE recommends that it should be tried for people with dementia who are experiencing agitation, if other approaches aren’t working. It may also be used for someone with cancer, particularly at the end of their life, to try and improve quality of life.”

Music Therapy

Music therapy can come in several forms, from simply listening to music, getting involved in music by using instruments or with sing alongs and choirs. It is recommended for those with dementia, the elderly and anyone with mental health issues. Music therapy helps promote interaction and socialisation. Elderly people often use music to reminisce improving mood, and aids relaxation.

Animal Assisted Therapy

Animal assisted therapy or pet therapy is the practice of introducing animals into a care setting. This can be done in several ways. Many care homes now have resident pets, but this can be a tricky process as some residents may not be comfortable with animals because of previous experience or allergies for example.

Family and carers may wish to bring in pets to visit loved ones, this can be done by pre-arrangement. Here at Waltham House Care Home, Grimsby we hold regular animal therapy sessions with local organisations and those residents wishing to participate can come along and meet the animals, pet them and interact with them.

The benefits of this include reduced stress and improved feelings of wellbeing and happiness. Regular contact with an animal can improve cognitive behaviour and agility to through walking and exercising with the pet.

Dr Jay P. Granat, a New Jersey psychotherapist says: “Dogs – and other pets – live very much in the here and now. They don’t worry about tomorrow. And tomorrow can be very scary for an older person. By having an animal with that sense of now, it tends to rub off on people,” 

If you’d like to learn more a out the complementary therapies practised here at Waltham House Care Home Grimsby, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. You can also read more about it here.