Working in retirement homes and assisted living facilities

[Erik Star]

You don't have to tell the administration, but letting the nurse in charge of the client know is always good. They won't tell you not to do it because the know it is a good thing. Good luck all of you who are looking into this area. They are such special people, it just breaks my heart to see so many in pain when it could be helped. It is just hard to understand why it is so hard to get people to understand way it is so important for them to have these small luxuries. Again, I wish all of you success in this.

 

[golden sindy]

I find a different issue here in Ontario, in that almost all the nursing homes (which are at least partially government-funded) are already wrapped up tight by Registered Massage Therapists.

I do Chair Massage and Myo-fascial release, but can't get a look in. I have a retirement home and a seniors condominium building and the results are get are so interesting that I know I could help others.

I think it would be very hard to get the word out to enough residents' families unless the home was "on board" with you going in.

Marion

 

[LALA13]

I would alway's let the persons nurse know you are there. If only not to interrupt a treatment plan or scheduled meds. Also it's good to make sure someone is not on isolation for something. You really don't want sediff or merca(sp?)

If you can't get established outright on your own with the just the nursing home facilities, you can alway's try a hospice service. They travel around to a lot of different facilities and peoples homes. And word of mouth could get you additional side buisness.

As far as being hired by the families, there is basically nothing the facility can do to stop you from going in to work on someone if you are hired. That is baring any medical problems that may not allow you to work on them.

 

[pixiemeup82]

The more I think about it...I'd like to let the nursing home know of my presence there, and establish a good relationship with them. I don't mean every single time I'm there, but that I will be coming there to do massage.

Since I have experience of what goes on in a nursing home (my mom has been in and out them in the past), I know that residents have certain routines (like therapy, showers, etc). So when a family expresses interest, I thought of sending them a packet where they sign up for what they want (bi-monthly, monthly, etc) and the time frame that is best for their loved one. A health form would also be included; and if need be, they may have to get the doc's signature to allow it. And of course, they include the check...so I'd be getting paid beforehand.

Of course, the packet would list contraindications for
massage.

How does that sound so far?

 

[happybunny101]

The more I think about it...I'd like to let the nursing home know of my presence there, and establish a good relationship with them. I don't mean every single time I'm there, but that I will be coming there to do massage.

Since I have experience of what goes on in a nursing home (my mom has been in and out them in the past), I know that residents have certain routines (like therapy, showers, etc). So when a family expresses interest, I thought of sending them a packet where they sign up for what they want (bi-monthly, monthly, etc) and the time frame that is best for their loved one. A health form would also be included; and if need be, they may have to get the doc's signature to allow it. And of course, they include the check...so I'd be getting paid beforehand.

Of course, the packet would list contraindications for
massage.

How does that sound so far?

That is about what I do. Usually it is a nurse (or CNA) who contacts me for someone - or who gives my info to the family to contact me. Medical consent is something I always include for nursing home patients, but not always for assisted living. I don't send the packet, though - I take it in person and explain what it all is. In some cases, that goes directly to the family member who contacted me.

I don't sneak into a facility, by any means, and I am friendly with the staff that I run into, and offer to answer any questions they might have. I just don't go out of my way to let the administration know I'm there if I am there because a resident/family member has asked me to be there.