Hospice Massage

Started in the early 60’s in England and quickly followed in the United States, hospice care is a compassionate alternative to traditional methods of terminal, or end-of-life care.  While the history of massage is much longer, the benefits of massage are now well recognized, and even encouraged, as a helpful and natural adjunct to the end stages of life, and is offered as part of hospice care.  Exploring the concepts and practices of hospice care prepares the massage therapist to anticipate the needs of their long-term clients, as well as adapting various traditional massage modalities to both geriatric clients and those who are terminally ill.

With lecture and demonstration, this workshop prepares the massage therapist to provide a variety of service and support to aging and terminally ill patients that can extend to the family and friends of the patient.

Topics covered will include:

• Brief History of Hospice
• Hospice Philosophy
• Patient Stages of Dying, emotionally and physiologically
• Assessment of patient:
  • Contraindications
  • Patient needs and presenting problems
  • Patient mobility and range of motion
  • Skin conditions
  • Cognitive functioning
  • Ability to communicate
  • Medical devices, e.g., catheters, medication ports, breathing apparatus
• Adapting standard massage techniques to patient circumstances and environment
  • What you learned versus what you can reasonably do
  • What patients “like”
  • Massage table or chair
  • Patient bed or chair
  • Hospital-style bed
  • Clothing and accessibility of body parts
• Ethical Considerations
• Family Dynamics
• Massage for family

Pietro John Caporusso, MS, LMT, Licensed Massage Therapist, with a specialty in Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy, Pietro developed (2001) and teaches the thirty-hour Massage Therapy Instructor  Adult Learning Theory  class through Austin Community College’s Continuing Education office, required by the TX Dept of State Health Services for massage therapists who wish to teach, and Ethics in Healthcare. He became a Licensed Massage Therapist, July, 2002, and began working with Hospice Austin patients in 2003, doing home and care facility visits.  Currently, he provides weekly massage for patients at Hospice Austin Christopher House in-patient facility. He recently retired from Austin Community College as Coordinator of Professional Development and adjunct instructor, after 25 years of service, developing and conducting both online and face-to-face faculty and staff workshops, courses, and tutorials, that focus on teaching and learning, American with Disabilities Act, sexual harassment prevention, and wellness. Prior to joining ACC in 1983, he was counseling casework supervisor for Family Services of Long Beach, California.  In addition to his background in psychology and teaching, Pietro has a long background and interest in the environment and alternative energy systems, permaculture, lapidary, wellness and alternative healing modalities, including yoga, nutrition, visualization, Eastern and Western philosophy, bodywork and energetics, and holds a certificate as a Reiki Master. He is a member of the Texas Community College Teachers Association, Texas Association of Massage Therapists, Austin Gem & Mineral Society, Austin Herb Society, Williamson County Area Beekeeping Assn., and Austin Backyard Chickens. He has two beehives and four chickens.