The importance of touch

The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC. Visit our website at www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445 , or call us at 704.909.7958  

 If you look around today, you'll notice that our society is enamored with gadgets, productivity, and beauty, but personal contact is missing.  Research shows that lack of personal touch to anyone receiving care can be distressing.  Touch is the most developed sense when an infant is born, and continues to play a fundamental role in communication development throughout life.

  Those diagnosed with mental illness or those who are elderly are shown to be touched the least. Human beings have an increased need for nurturing and touch as they age. The elderly who do not have family nearby often rely on healthcare professional to nurture them.

  Clinical research with the elderly discovered the following benefits of touch...

• It helped to promote sleep
• Enhanced feelings of well being
• Decreased blood pressure 

 In addition to the above, increased touch in the form of gentle massage reduces emotional strain associated with separation or anxiety.  In the end, providing touch makes the patient feels cared about, the relationship grows and both lives are changed forever.