Elderly residents: perceptions of nurses' comforting touch

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Nursing Science
• Psychology

Background:

• Elderly individuals in nursing homes frequently experience feelings of isolation and a lack of affection.
• Limited physical contact and communication challenges can exacerbate feelings of being unwanted or unloved among residents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of comforting touch on elderly nursing home residents' perceptions of affection and belonging.
• To determine if intentional physical contact by caregivers can enhance emotional well-being in this population.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 25 elderly residents in a nursing home setting.
• Inclusion of comforting touch interventions administered by nurses during care.

Main Results:

• Residents who received comforting touch reported enhanced feelings of affection.
• Participants also perceived a greater sense of immediacy and connection with their caregivers.

Conclusions:

• Conscious and intentional use of comforting touch by nurses is beneficial for elderly residents.
• This practice effectively conveys love and belonging, improving residents' emotional state.