By Sara Culang
The Martin and Edith Stein Hospice
49 Veronica Ave
Somerset, NJ 08873
For Immediate Release 8/20/2012
A Best Kept Secret: Yoga Can Benefit Hospice Patients and Their Families
Written by Sara Culang, Community Outreach Coordinator, Stein Hospice
When yoga therapist Dr. Tarra J. Madore, DC, E-RYT enters the room of a Stein Hospice patient for the first time she knows that the philosophy of hospice and yoga work well together. Yoga is about bringing peace of mind and acceptance through breath and movement. Hospice is about comfort and support at the end of life. Even when a patient cannot stand or get out of bed, small movements and special breathing techniques can lead to deeper relaxation. Madore uses a variety of movements and adjusts her instructions and movements to each patient, using items in the patient’s individual room to assist in the session.
Dr. Tarra Madore, DC E-RYT is the owner of Inner Light Yoga Center based in North Brunswick. Tarra’s early commitment to living in harmony with nature and the power of the human mind led her to attend chiropractic school and later to incorporate yoga in her pursuit of natural health. She is committed to empowering people without the use of medication. In working with hospice patients, Madore says, “Comprehension is important”. The patient needs to understand what I am saying to do the movement.” Madore also shows caregivers basic techniques to help relieve their stress. A simple movement such as reaching arms overhead and bending the elbows opens up the chest. While doing this Madore informs the patient or caregiver that this increases oxygen in the body, and lifting the chest “lifts your spirits.” This particular suggestion recently brought a smile to the face of a bedbound patient on the Stein Hospice service.
Sometimes the patient is not strong enough or is heavily medicated and cannot lift their arms; in this situation Madore will try leg and foot strengthening. The side of a chair or a waste basket turned on its side, so the patient has a flexible surface to push against even if seated in a wheelchair or hospital bed can help make the movement work for them. At the end of such a session a patient offered the comment that, “I always feel better when you’re here.”
What if the patient is too debilitated to respond to instructions to use their arms or legs? Madore focuses on breath alone, “Inhale, let your belly expand, and now bring your belly back down.” If the concept is difficult she will place patient’s hand on their belly and breathe with them. Every session ends with relaxation breathing suggesting to the patient, “I can relax”, and she watches the breathing to ensure they are verbally adjusting her words to help them relax.
Madore was drawn to working with hospice patients by having experienced hospice care for her parents before they passed away. She understands s that yoga is “something that can be done to make the end of life process easier. Her commitment to this philosophy and her yoga makes all the difference in the lives of the Stein Hospice patients she visits them.
This program is generously funded through The Elizabeth B. and Arthur E. Roswell Foundation, Inc. of Baltimore, Maryland.
Stein Hospice is proud to offer Yoga therapy as one of several complementary therapies available to patients on our service. Stein Hospice is a nonprofit hospice serving Union, Middlesex, Somerset and Monmouth counties. Learn how our team of doctors, nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, volunteers and specialty therapists can enable your loved one to experience the gift of hospice. To appreciate the “Stein Hospice Advantage” of complimentary therapies, call our office today at 888-313-0369. Find us online at www.SteinHospiceNJ.org. If your loved one, you and your family are going through an end of life journey, let us be there to help. All you need to remember is “The Stein Hospice Advantage”. Make the call, we will do the rest. You will be glad that you did. Make the call 888-313-0369.
