You might have seen the recent adverts on TV asking for Volunteers to become a Dementia Friend via the Alzheimer’s Society initiative https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/. I thought I would focus on the topic this month especially after learning that early dementia can be brought on with those suffering from MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and that it is not just a part of the natural ageing process. Here are some facts and figures:
What is dementia?
Dementia is described as a number of symptoms which include:
- memory loss and confusion
- mood changes
- difficulties with reasoning and communication skills
It is predicted that one in three people over the age of 65 will develop dementia and that the number of people in the UK with dementia will double in the next 40 years from 800,000 people in 2012 to 1,600,000 in 2052.
Please refer to the Alzheimer’s Society website for further information: http://alzheimers.org.uk/?gclid=CjkKEQjwhoGcBRDlu9S3mo7-udIBEiQASEw7QtETLSIVcTF0QXcBrdTi5-DYfUDFihnU2vPd5vYSz6Xw_wcB
So how can Reiki help?
Reiki can help with the effects of dementia including:
- anxiety
- depression
- frustration
- pain
- stress
Reiki for Carers
Often the people who care for those suffering with dementia struggle themselves as they cope with the daily challenges facing them. Reiki treatments can help the carer cope better by:
- reducing anxiety
- improving mood
- helping with relaxation
- improving sleep
and this ultimately helps with managing their personal stress levels.
Distant healing
If the dementia client is not inclined to have a hands-on Reiki treatment, it is possible to send Reiki healing either with your hands away from the client or even before or after visiting the client. It is helpful to send the client Reiki prior to your visit in any case, as this will help prepare you both for the session.
How do you use Reiki with dementia?
As dementia involves the mind, emotional and physical aspects, it is likely that you will be giving a full Reiki treatment or specifically working with the heart chakra (to focus on emotions, feelings, anxiety and depression) the third eye and crown chakras (to work on thoughts, mood and to calm the mind).
At Reiki First Degree level you will place your hands on or around these chakras and at Second Degree level you will be using CKR for any physical pain and SHK for mental and emotional healing. Remember that you can send Reiki energy to other parts of the body as your hands are placed on a specific treatment point. This is useful if the client is unable to remain still in one place for any length of time.
Treating the carer with Reiki
Having been a part time carer myself, I have experienced the stress, the roller-coaster emotions and daily problems that arise when caring for someone who has a disability and cannot take full care of themselves. Always having to be positive and enthusiastic when dealing with one’s own emotions causes additional strain and stress. If some personal time is not taken to relax and recover, the ongoing internal stress can cause health and often, relationship problems.
If Reiki is given on a regular basis it can allow the carer personal space and time to relax and let go of the daily issues that affect the carer’s wellbeing. If the carer learns Reiki for themselves they can easily work with the energy when they feel tense or need to take 5 minutes out of the daily routine to ground and re-energise. Also, if the client is agitated, moody, frustrated or in pain the carer can give Reiki energy immediately to the client which will help to release the tension.