針對臺灣近年來老年疾病人口的增加，護理人員應用與生俱來的能力 －觸摸，來協助老年人病人渡過疾病階段的無助。然而不當之觸摸亦極易引起老 年人的不適感，因此如此正確使用治療性觸摸，使之發揮其應有之功能，如穩定 情緒、放鬆肌肉、有安全感，產生信任之人際關係等等進而提昇老年人的生活品 質，實是吾等護理人員應努力之方向。

　　　　　In response to the increasing number of elderly patients in Taiwan, nurses should use our inherent and instinctive capacity-"touch" to convey caring and support and as a tool for gathering information. For example, by using the therapeutic touch nurses can calm emotionally agitated patients, relax muscle tension, offer well-being, safety, and create a "trusting" relationship. We can use it to help elderly patients during the helpless stage of their illness. However, inappropriate touching by nurses makes patients feel uncomfortable. Thus we need to learn how to improve the quality of life of elderly patients by using the right therapeutic touch.