The compassionate touch of a caregiver, or even a person just giving support, really matters for well being. And surprisingly, something amazing happens with a compassionate touch—there is a coupling of connectedness that is actually physical in both parties. Multiple research projects(1) show that pain is actually reduced with compassionate touch—and trust is developed.
So, for those giving care of any kind, knowing the power of your touch can change how you engage.
I experienced this first hand when visiting in the retirement community with my late mother, Alice. Several individuals had outlived all family. Realizing this, my mother, a nurse who was both alert and mobile into her 100s, and I regularly visited these folks.
Our lesson was learned with small tubes of hand cream with cheerful flowers imprinted, like these. After being given permission to apply some cream, we would continue to hold hands, using the flowers to generate conversation around garden or other home memories. We then left the tube behind to extend our visit. The gift was really given to us—we experienced the wonder of touch in these visits while bringing care to others.
It’s interesting that science and every day living find the same result—compassionate touch transforms the giver and the receiver.
(1) For example: Journal of Pain 17, no 10, October 2016, 1049-57 by the University of Haifa in Israel