The Importance of Touch
Touch is the means by which human beings begin to learn about their world when they are infants. To a great extent, words replace touch as one grows older. Occasions for touching are defined by society and are more explicity defined within family and peer groups.
Touch is generally acceptable only among close relatives, friends, and significant others. Touching, hugging, and holding are separate from sexual desire, yet they are often misinterpreted, so touch as a sign of understanding and acceptance should be used with care by the nurse. Persons for whom touch has become a spontaneous gesture may be embarrassed when others misunderstand and become rigid or pull away when touched. Thus, instead of being a positive means of communication, touch can be a block. But to be deprived of touch is to be cold and lonely and is perhaps the cruelest form of rejection.
Older persons-and the older they are the more this is true-may remain untouched because they have lost those to whom they were closset. They need to be touched or at least given the opportunity to accept or reject closeness. Some people are reluctant to touch the skin of an older person because of its wrinkles, sclerotic or spidery blood vessels, uneven color, and dryness. Denial of the aging process is responsible for this negative reaction.
The nurse communicates caring by touching older patients with gentleness and acceptance. This is affective touch. Touch can reduce anxiety. Holding the hand of an aging patient when explaining procedures or asking questions promotes cooperation, inspires trust, and improves communication. Even task-oriented touch such as taking a pulse can communicate caring when touch is gentle and the nurse`s manner is warm.
Reference :
Farrell J : Nursing Care of the Older Person, J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, 1990.
