1. I Advocate Reiki Training for all Caregivers of Individuals with Alzheimer’s
Disease
By Michael Devine, Reiki Practitioner, Certified Nursing Assistant, Certified Dementia Practitioner
All care givers of Alzheimer's disease patients should seriously consider becoming Reiki
practitioners.
If you are a family member, home health aide, CNA or Nurse, Reiki will help you in two ways. I
know from my own experience.
First, Reiki will help you in your own self­awareness. The five "Just for Today" Reiki Precepts
are life changing. Every day before I start my shift at a locked Dementia facility, I give myself a
Reiki treatment and contemplate the Precepts. No Anger, No Worries, Being Grateful, Work
Honestly, and Being Kind to all Living Things (including myself) are truly life changing. It is a
great way to start the day.
Contemplating the Precepts calms me and helps me to become a light that shines in the dark
place my patients live in. Reiki practitioners rub off on the people around them. Co­workers and

2. patients alike can feel the peace Reiki brings you. You are better prepared for the agitation,
wandering, sleeplessness, aggression and depression of Alzheimer's disease. You have the
patience to go where the patient is, no matter where that place is and redirect them to a calmer
happier place. At the same time, you can remain stable and patient within yourself.
Secondly, Reiki practice does help the person suffering from Alzheimer's or other forms of
Dementia, as hopeless as it might seem. A Reiki treatment gives individuals suffering with
Dementia a time of peaceful ‘escape’ from the disease. The one­on­one attention and the warm
touch of your hands cultivate serenity. The patient will be so grateful. Also many people
suffering from Dementia have other health conditions too. Whether it is arthritis, heart
disease, Parkinson's, or other problems, Reiki can help.
Two years ago, I began doing home visits, helping people care for elderly family members.
Shortly thereafter, I moved to a large for profit long­term nursing home. And currently I
specialize in Dementia care at a smaller, very loving community. I realized that in all of these
settings there are opportunities to practice Reiki. Not everyone will be receptive. I know a lot of
caregivers do not have time. You can make the time once you understand the benefits of Reiki.
Don't give up. I have been accused of everything from practicing witchcraft to being treated with
total indifference. But most people are very interested and will be glad to talk to you about
Reiki.
Again, if you are a caregiver, consider the wonderful gift of Reiki. It is life changing.
Learn more about Reiki and Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia Here:
http://psychcentral.com/lib/reikis­use­in­dementia­patients­and­for­their­caregivers/
http://alzheimers­review.blogspot.com/2011/01/reiki­healing­for­alzheimers­patients.html
http://www.reikiaustralia.com.au/files/research/reiki­anxiety­depression­pain.pdf

3. http://rehab.ucla.edu/workfiles/Urban%20Zen/Nurses_Lived_Experience_of_Reiki.pdf
http://www.ardath.com/docs/The%20Effects%20of%20Reiki%20Treatments%20on%20Dementi
a%20Patients.pdf