A study to evaluate the effectiveness of Touch Therapy on functional independence among senior citizens in Christian Mission Hospital, at Madurai

"It's not too difficult to get the skeletons out of the closet with people, but to get the gold out is a different matter. That is therapy. Psychology (Reflexology) is the Art of finding the gold of the spirit." Robert Johnson Introduction Old age (also referred to as one's eld) consists of ages nearing or surpassing the average life span of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle. Euphemisms and terms for old people include seniors (American usage), senior citizens (British and American usage) and the elderly. Old people have limited regenerative abilities and are more prone to disease, syndromes, and sickness than other adults. The medical study of the aging process is gerontology, and the study of diseases that afflict the elderly is geriatrics. Statement of the problem A study to evaluate the effectiveness of touch therapy on functional independence among senior citizens at selected hospital, Madurai. Objectives 1. To assess the functional independence level among senior citizens before touch therapy. 2. To evaluate the effectiveness of touch therapy upon functional independence after touch therapy. 3. To find out the association between the touch therapy on functional independence with selected demographic variables. Null Hypothesis Ho1- There is no significant difference between the pre test, and post test score on touch therapy and the level of functional independence among senior citizens. Ho2- There is no significant association between the touch therapy and the level of functional independence with selected demographic variables. Method of sampling The samples of senior citizens residing in geriatric care unit were selected randomly on the basis of simple random sampling which was carried out using lot method. Description of the tool After an extensive review of literature and in consultation with experts in the field, the investigator identified a number of associated risk factors responsible for functional independence among senior citizens those who were in geriatric care unit. The tool used for the present study, was an interview schedule. The functional independence was measured using Modified North Wick Park Scale which is a standardized tool. Scoring procedure The severity of functional dependence symptoms was measured in terms of Modified North Wick Park Scale score. The maximum score is 21 and above and minimum10. For the purpose of the study, the severity level of independence on the basis of obtained score was classified as follows: Severity score Classification 1-10 Mild independence. 11-20 Moderate independence. 21and above Fully independence. Conceptual frame work The conceptual frame work for the study was based on King’s Goal Attainment Theory (1960).The research design selected for the study was truly experimental in nature. The study was done at Christian Mission Hospital, Madurai. The level of independence before and after to senior citizens with functional disability was studied. 30 were in the experimental group and 30 were in the control group. Modified North Wick Park Scale for Functional Independence was used for data collection which is standardized. Findings In the experimental group the obtained ‘t’ value 3.258 of the level of functional independence was highly significant and the calculated chi-square value 5.37 shows no significant association with selected demographic variables of the senior citizens staying in the geriatric care unit. Conclusion It is inferred that the reflexology is effective in improving the functional dependence among senior citizens. Based on the study, findings, recommendations and implications have been derived