From the Heart Through the Hands
After her drunken mother failed to care for Nelson as a baby, her grandparents raised her with "unconditional love" and "gentle, nurturing touch." Here, Nelson records what she learned from that experience and how she has applied it since. Touch is more than a physical act, she says. It can also involve the eyes, ears, and a general interest in caregiving. Nelson relates many of her experiences with touch in hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, and homes, as well as those of friends, colleagues, and others. Touch can help in the treatment of patients with AIDS, Alzheimer's, and many other physical and psychological afflictions. A toucher must, of course, always be observant and conscious of unspoken as well as spoken communication; and sympathetic relations with families and medical and nursing personnel as well as patients is vital. Finally, those who use touch can often learn much about themselves while using it. Besides making those points, Nelson describes touching techniques practically and offers related suggestions for caregivers.William BeattyCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved