About the Program
Our Mission
Tender Touch For All offers rehabilitative and restorative massage therapy for seniors, veterans and people with disabilities or chronic conditions at their residential or treatment centers. We are dedicated to enhancing their quality of life, in order to make living more enjoyable for them — we love making a difference in their lives!
“I’ve seen the benefit of Tender Touch Massage Therapy first hand, especially with our advanced stage dementia residents. The healing power of touch is an amazing thing. The instant Wendy, the therapist, places her hands on the residents’ shoulders they immediately appear to be less agitated and relaxed.”
— Michele Fishel, Director of Therapeutic Recreation, Sunharbor Manor Nursing Home
Our Program
Tender Touch For All provides massage for underserved populations with heart and compassion, most of the time at no cost to them, and always at a discounted rate to their facilities.
We provide this valuable service on-site at assisted living facilities, skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, VA Centers, senior centers, or anyplace where seniors, vets and/or the disabled may reside or be treated.
Facility Managers and Program Directors: Please contact us for details on how to bring this value-added program to your residents/patients.
We believe massage can, quite simply, perform miracles for the spirit. Massage is one way to bring touch firmly back into the lives of those who are alone. We appreciate the support of our Corporate Partners and individual donors who enable us to provide this wonderful program for our underserved senior and veteran communities!
“It’s been moving to see our residents react so positively to this massage therapy service.”
— Debbie Laskin, Director of Recreation and Volunteers, Buena Vida Continuing Care & Rehabilitation Center
Benefits of Massage Therapy for Seniors
Geriatric Massage is a form of massage designed to meet the needs of the elderly, and involves the use of the hands to manipulate soft tissues of the body to improve blood circulation, relieve pain and increase range of motion.
Geriatric Massage addresses the psychological and physiological aspects of aging and its associated diseases. The therapy results in an improvement in range of motion, posture, body awareness, skin color and muscle tone, and provides a social outlet and caring touch for lonely or isolated seniors which can even relieve anxiety and depression.
Geriatric Massage can also accommodate those recovering from surgery, or who have accumulated a lifetime of injuries. Senior Citizens today face a wide variety of “stressors”, and a well done massage can wash away their tensions, and provide emotional/ mental support that can help them live the sunsets of their lives with strength and dignity.
“The veterans at The Salvation Army Northport Veterans Residence deeply appreciated the massage therapy event. The feedback was extremely positive, and they reported having excellent nights sleep after their massage. It was a new experience for the majority, and any continued support would be a blessing to our veterans.”
— Deborah A. Rodriguez, Program Director
The Answer is Tender Touch For All
Tender Touch For All massage therapists are all licensed and trained specifically in gentle, therapeutic massage for the senior population- massage that requires a little extra tender loving care, cognizance of health issues and the client’s mobility, and techniques designed for aging skin and muscles. They know everything from the proper touch to the most comfortable position…as well as being trained in the physiological, psychological and sociological aspects of aging.
“Seniors love Mary (our massage therapist). Many seniors enjoy their massage and are repeat clients”
— Sheila Garson, Program Director, St. Charles Jubilee Senior Center
Research Shows
Massage Therapy is valuable for the aches and pains associated with growing older, decreasing muscular stiffness, and inflammation of joints, and enhancing digestive and respiratory function, alertness, sensation and circulation. It is also helpful for those with arthritis, stroke, diabetes, Parkinson’s, tendonitis, bursitis, asthma and emphysema.
Geriatric Massage can reduce pain, improve sleep, lower blood pressure, decrease breathing rate, improve immune function, increase appetite, speed healing, and can even soothe an irritated/ aggressive Alzheimer’s patient.
Regular massage can lower anxiety and relieve depression and can alleviate “touch hunger”- the simple pleasure of the human touch and companionship can be priceless for isolated or lonely seniors, and benefits the emotional well-being of a population at greater risk to suffer from depression.
Overall massage can maintain health, and improve quality of life and self esteem!