Connecting On A Human Level With Integrative Arts

By Alena Dailey, Manager

Chesapeake Life Center and Integrative Arts

. https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/

More Hospice & Palliative Care Articles

Connecting On A Human Level With Integrative Arts

Few moments in my life demonstrated the power of touch more than one memorable moment.

In my role as manager of integrative arts, I train volunteers in different care techniques. We visited one of our partner residential centers to offer their residents Compassionate Touch, a skilled touch technique.

I was visiting with a woman who was quiet as I gently rubbed her hands. Afterwards, she smiled and told me that where she lives there is somebody always to help her put on her pants or hand her medicine or help her to shower. But no one just held her hand. With tears in her eyes, she asked me if I would come back. Of course, I went back. How could I not?

That moment was a powerful reminder of what integrative arts are all about: connecting on a human level.

Integrative arts, often referred to as the healing arts, focuses on the three Cs of compassion: calming, connecting and comfort. They bring an extra layer of human touch and connection to help patients and families experience comfort during a difficult time in their lives.

Hospices offer a variety of integrative arts techniques to match the needs and wishes of their patients. My organization has volunteers who are trained in Compassionate Touch, reiki, aromatherapy and crystal healing. We also have many comfort pet teams and a pilot music therapy program.

Our integrative arts volunteers are an essential part of the hospice interdisciplinary care team. Their unique skills serve as an additional tool for connecting with patients and families. Even when a patient can no longer communicate verbally, they can still connect through touch, providing meaningful experiences for all involved.

While some people view practices like reiki and Compassionate Touch as new age these misconceptions are fading. More patients are open to trying these techniques, often encouraged by family members who are familiar with them. Even the most skeptical who give in and try these techniques find they bring comfort and peace.

Our volunteers feel this way, too. Sharon, one of our dedicated volunteers, said that Compassionate Touch allows her to connect deeply with the patients. She can sense that the patient feels at peace, which also helps the family experience peace. And she in turn feels at peace.

As I often say during our dementia training sessions, people might forget what you said or did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.