By Jeff Baird, Sunrise Reiki Colorado
It has been almost a year since I entered the senior living industry. My experience in senior living to date has been beyond anything I could have hoped for. For example, today Reiki officially made it on our activity calendar where I will have the opportunity to speak to our residents about the healing energy. I am thrilled and so grateful to have this opportunity.
I have fallen in love with many of our residents and to be able to share Reiki with these amazing people warms my heart. And, then there are the caregivers…Angels among us. So many caregivers and nurses used to see me when I was still doing sessions out of our home. That was before Covid, and they were already so burned out.
Reiki helped them relax and actually get some sleep, which they were not getting, due to the intense stress of their jobs. Many fell asleep on my table. Seeing our caregivers in action every day makes me respect these angels even more. We have the best and I’m honored to work with them. Reiki is such a natural for senior living and I see some pretty amazing things happening in the future.
I definitely see Reiki helping family members as well. Dealing with aging parents is not an easy thing to do. I’ve met with countless family members who were either in tears or on the verge of tears. Life-changing decisions are being made and it can be draining to say the least. Reiki always delivers comfort and that is what these folks are looking for – just a little comfort. Aren’t we all?
During the last year I’ve used a lot of self-Reiki too. It always brings comfort. Looking forward to bringing some comfort to our seniors. I remember working on Irene in Northern Colorado about five years ago. She was 101 and sharp as a tack. She jumped out of an airplane for her 100th birthday. She got up on the Reiki table and the first thing she said to her daughter was, “Look! He’s already messing up my hair!” Reiki helped with her lower back pain. She was amazed and I knew then that I would like to share Reiki with more seniors.
p.s. The sweet woman in this photo is Audrey. She was the first senior I shared Reiki with. I absolutely love Audrey and Reiki helped her so much! God Bless You Audrey. I miss you.