Translate Philosophy into Practical Ways
The philosophy of palliative care is that ‘people live until they die’ and it is important that the palliative care team enables this philosophy to be translated in many practical ways. Massage is a way of improving quality of life until death, especially for people who are suffering from the effects of disease, surgery or treatment. Generally, cancer patients of all ages report that massage (with or without aromatherapy oils) helps them to relax, reduces some of the symptoms of the illness and leaves them feeling more positive and better able to cope with the illness.
Nurturing in a Healthy Way
Therapeutic Massage is a wonderful way for the patients to experience safe touch and nurturing in a healthy way that affirms their humanity.
Many palliative care patients have significant expenses due to medications, dietary changes/supplements, travel costs, etc. and are genuinely unable to access massage services independently.
ACT Palliative Care Society initiated a therapeutic massage program to offer to patients at the hospice as well as home based palliative care patients and carers a limited number of massage sessions to assist them through the difficult time.
The Society is grateful for the continuing support of our therapeutic massage program from:-
- Federal Golf Club Members Charity Committee
- Canberra Southern Cross Club
On the day when the weight deadens on your shoulders and you stumble,
may the clay dance to balance you.
And when your eyes freeze behind the grey window
and the ghost of loss gets in to you,
may a flock of colours,indigo, red, green,and azure blue
come to awaken in you a meadow of delight.
When the canvas frays in the currach of thought
and a stain of ocean blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.
May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.
- Beannacht (”Blessing”) by John O’Donohue