A simple touch is so important for human connection. Tina V., regional director of life enrichment for The Goodman Group, explains that “even a hug for a few minutes can produce a powerful, positive result.” When we learned about the soothing effects of Compassionate Touch®, we were eager to see how it could benefit the memory care residents in our managed senior living and health care communities.

“Innovation is high on our priority list,” explains Karen B., national director of life enrichment with The Goodman Group. “It’s one of the things that make the managed senior living and health care communities unique and stand out. We’re always looking for anything we can do to make residents’ lives better.’’

The Goodman Group won a competitive grant from the state of Florida and partnered with the AGE-u-cate Training Institute, creator of Compassionate Touch, to introduce the program for memory care residents at Sabal Palms Health & Rehabilitation, a skilled nursing community on The Palms of Largo campus in Largo, FL.

After just a few months of using Compassionate Touch, the results have been, in a word, incredible.

What is Compassionate Touch?

Individuals with dementia have a hard time expressing their needs, which can lead to frustration, anxiety or agitation. Without an appropriate way to express themselves, they may resort to hollering, patting loudly on something, even pushing.

Compassionate Touch combines specialized touch and communication techniques to help alleviate responsive behaviors in people living with dementia. However, its benefits can be much broader and not only for those with cognitive differences.

“To Touch Can Be to Give Life” 

This quote is attributed to Michelangelo, but modern-day scientists would agree. Psychologist Dachner Keltner explains that everyday gestures such as a pat on the back or a caress on the arm “are our primary language of compassion, and a primary means for spreading compassion.” Touch, he says, is “truly fundamental to human communication, bonding, and health.”

Research has shown that massage therapy can significantly reduce anxiety, agitation, aggression and stress for those with dementia.

The team at Sabal Palms Health & Rehabilitation started working directly with residents in January. Coaches are trained and certified in Compassionate Touch techniques, then they teach others. “We’re training as many team members as possible,” says Karen. That includes all nursing and life enrichment team members as well as dining room and housekeeping team members if they’re interested.

Can I Hold Your Hand? 

Matthew P., a certified nursing assistant and life enrichment coordinator at Sabal Palms Health & Rehabilitation, uses Compassionate Touch all the time now. When he notices a resident feeling frustrated or upset, he approaches with care.

His technique is simple yet profound. He calls it “focused touch” and says it’s very easy to learn. He touches the resident’s hand or shoulder and asks, “Is it okay if I hold your hand? Will you walk with me?” If the resident agrees, he finds a quiet place to sit with them, puts lotion in his hand to warm it up, then rubs his palm with their palm in gentle, circular strokes. He usually uses a small lap pillow to rest the hands. He rubs his thumbs on their palm and each finger, then moves to flowing strokes from shoulder to hand.

As he’s gently performing the hand massage, he asks thoughtful questions: “How can I help? Are you in pain? Are you comfortable?” The goal is to not only help the resident relax but to find the root cause of their agitation.

It’s all in your approach, he explains. “First, you have to get on their eye level and get into their bubble–meet them where they’re at. If you do it with respect and dignity and ask permission to touch them, then most residents welcome it.”

He finds many enjoy holding hands, so he sometimes asks if they will do a mini-massage with him just for practice. The technique can also be used as a gentle back rub or as a foot and leg massage if a resident is restless in bed.

It takes just 3-5 minutes. Team members report it has proven very helpful when used before providing intimate assistance such as changing clothes or toileting. The technique also helps prevent falls by calming residents who might try to stand from their wheelchair when they become restless or agitated. 

The Results are Incredible

“Compassionate Touch has been incredibly beneficial so far for residents in the memory care neighborhood,” reports Tina. “We’re seeing a significant reduction in general anxiety when the technique is used. We feel really great about the experience and the connection.”

Team members formally track data on resident outcomes, noting:

• How people are responding
• How residents feel about the technique and its effects
• If there’s a reduction in symptoms

Some residents respond better than others, but most of the time the negative behavior stops. Residents are calmer, less restless and calling out less. It comforts them if they’re lonely. In some cases, the result may not last long, but others relax so much they fall asleep.

“If they fall asleep, that’s a huge win!” Matthew laughs. If a resident has been seeking an exit, which can sometimes be an issue with dementia, he considers it a big win if they stop talking about it.

Tina says when she gives a hand massage, she relaxes a lot, too, so she is “much more in the moment.” In fact, along with feeling calmer after performing a hand massage, team members say it has helped them develop better relationships with residents. They can also use what they’ve learned at home, too, with family members. Tina says it works great with her 4-year-old grandchild.

Expanding the Benefits 

“What a gift to be able to relax!” Tina says. “If we could do this more often, we would love to do it.” And indeed, that’s the plan.

“We’re working out the kinks in using the technique and using our tracking data to study outcomes,” Karen says. “Then we can bring it out to more teams to implement Compassionate Touch at other communities managed by The Goodman Group around the country.” As a certified coach, Tina is poised to help with training.

Compassionate Touch has already made a meaningful impact at Sabal Palms Health & Rehabilitation—and this is just the beginning. As we continue to track outcomes and expand training, we look forward to bringing the power of gentle, intentional connection. Because sometimes, the simplest gestures—like holding a hand—can make the biggest difference.