Massage for People Living with Dementia

16/01/2026

What's going on here?
The hand nearest you in the photo is a stationary anchor hand, while the other glides slowly up and down, peppering petrissage and reassuring thumb rubs where appropriate.
The anchor hand creates a physical boundary which says this is as far as I'll go in this moment, today. When you watch for clues, micro-movements of concern or consent, you can settle a moment, check in and adjust the boundary to suit your client.
What is of utmost importance is to be present, observe and adjust, as this boundary can change from treatment to treatment, from moment to moment.
We seek consent every moment we are with a client.
Paying attention to non-verbal micro-communication can guide us to respect a person's autonomy.

16/01/2026

In today I consider as mum's dementia progressed how I adjusted my approach with regards to images of her

13/01/2026

13/01/2026

This is the access road to the Blue Lotus Therapy Centre where I hold my clinic.
It's hard to grasp the scale of the enormity of the fir and another tree that fell in tandem crushing a historic Cornish boundary wall.
Our electric was back on yesterday and access restored prior to then.
So very grateful to all the helpers who have made our workspace safe and accessible again.

12/01/2026

Boundaries are for therapists as well as our clients.
Sometimes to look after my body I change how I massage.
This may mean doing one-handed techniques moving my whole body to create a flowing feel to prevent getting that "burn" in my back.
This is especially true when I treat people living with dementia in their beds which are often too wide to lean over comfortably for some 2 handed techniques.
We need to look after our health to support others in looking after theirs.

12/01/2026

It starts before we even lay hands on!
Before we even share a space with our clients!
Therapeutic Communication is key to the work we do.
Join us in June on our courses to immerse yourself in therapeutic approaches that really make a difference for people living with dementia, your general practice clients and even your professional and personal relationships.

10/01/2026

Tending memories and memorials in

10/01/2026

FHT Hosted Course:
Back pain is one of the most common complaints among clients, often linked to poor posture, muscular imbalances, and restricted joint mobility. This workshop explores the principles of biomechanics and postural alignment to help practitioners understand how these factors contribute to back pain and how to address them effectively. With Victoria Salomon of the Ixchel Massage & Movement Therapies

Book your place now here: https://www.fht.org.uk/education/biomechanics-and-postural-alignment-for-back-pain

10/01/2026

HANDS UP if you want to confidently provide a meaningful, inclusive massage service for people living with dementia?
These accredited courses will get you started or deepen your expertise:
At Bristol College of Massage & Bodywork in March
Blue Lotus Therapy Centre in Cornwall in May
The 4Elements Company in Morecambe in June
and again Blue Lotus Therapy Centre in August and November.
Swipe to find a date and course to suit your training needs this year.
Book your space here: https://massagefordementia.co.uk/massage-for-dementia-courses/
The Federation of Holistic Therapists accredited

08/01/2026

From the cliffs of Cornwall to the global stage, women’s voices matter not just for ourselves, but for the ones who haven’t yet found their platform. At TEDx Porthtowan Women, we honour strength, solidarity and stories that stir change. 📣✨

Our first event is on 8th March 2026 at the Ecopark in Porthtowan. Grab a ticket via our website. Link in bio.

We can’t wait to see you there!

08/01/2026

This is a really useful page to help us understand and support a person experiencing a time shift.
How we support a person depends on them in the moment. Approaches that help me navigate such difficulties are validation, tending to a person's feelings, supporting them to fulfill their purpose of the moment and remaining gently curious about how they can meaningfully find resolution and if they can't, that we sit empathetically with them.

A person who is time-shifted may seem to be experiencing a different reality to you. Try to remember that what they perceive is as real to them as your reality is to you.

The person may not understand what more recent technology is or does. They may not recognise friends and family as they look now, expecting them to be much younger.

Read more about what causes time-shifting and how to support a person who is experiencing it: http://spkl.io/6183AiCgt

07/01/2026

You Are Not Alone

Today, someone you know might need a reminder that they are seen, heard, and believed.

If you’re reading this, take a moment to share it because your friends and family might need to know that you’re there for them.

Sometimes, the smallest gesture can make the biggest difference.

Let’s remind each other help is out there, and so are we.

Share this post. You never know who needs to see it today.