You’ve found your passion – providing massage for those in hospice/palliative care. You’ve taken the courses and you’re ready!
Then… why is receiving payment for the work you love sometimes challenging? Many of us struggle to find our way into a hospice setting. It took Cindy and I quite some time to find our place in the world of hospice massage. Cindy currently works as an employee for an inpatient hospice facility, and I contract with a local hospice agency.
There are a few reasons it can be a challenge:
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In many cases, massage is not covered by insurance or Medicare. This means the agency must value our service enough to pay for it directly. Since our services are not reimbursed, some agencies struggle to justify the expense.
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There is a lack of education in the medical field and the decision makers at agencies.
What’s a skilled massage therapist to do?
Be Prepared: A recent article found that fewer than 1% of all massage therapists in the US are trained to provide end-
of-life care. Continue honing your skills so that when the call comes, you’re ready. Network with other therapists who are doing the work to get insight on their success.
Be Persistent: Don’t give up. You know the old saying, “the squeaky wheel gets oiled first”. Continue to reach out to hospices, hospitals, palliative care agencies, and skilled nursing facilities in your area to let them know about your training and service. Offer to educate their staff through presentations or workshops.
Be Patient: If it’s truly your heart’s desire, stay focused and wait for the right opportunity. Don’t give up your current work until you find your way into hospice massage. It may come a little at a time. The good news is there are agencies and medical personnel who recognize the value massage therapy has for their patients. Some have received funding through grants or other means.
Also in our favor is the concept of palliative care is gaining momentum, with an increasing number of providers looking to expand their services to meet growing demand. We have an important role to play in the growing field of comfort care.
Be Prepared, Be Persistent, Be Patient
Written by Susan Gee
