Credit: Hospice Patients Alliance
Occupational, Physical, and Speech-Language Therapy
The hospice benefit specifically provides occupational therapy services, physical therapy services, and speech-language therapy services for those In Home Hospice Care patients or other patients that would benefit from such therapy. Simply having a terminal illness does not mean that we have to “give up” and lay down in bed and immediately die, as some may erroneously believe. Those patients who make the most of their remaining time usually experience the highest quality of life. Hospice is about improving the quality of life and providing comfort care, even if a “cure” for the disease cannot be made. What benefit would these therapies have for your loved one? Many. First of all, these therapists are highly trained specialists in their field and can determine what interventions can help improve your loved one’s quality of life!
Occupational Therapy
An Occupational Therapist can evaluate the ability of your loved one to accomplish his activities of daily living, to do the normal everyday tasks that are commonly performed, such as bathing, getting dressed, brushing his teeth, and feeding himself, etc. If there are difficulties in performing these types of tasks, the therapist can devise alternative ways of accomplishing these tasks which allow the patient to remain more independent (and less dependent upon others) which can often help tremendously with the patient’s self-esteem and attitude. Sometimes different adaptive or assistive devices are used to help patients accomplish these tasks. The therapist can explain how your loved one can conserve his energy by doing things in an easier manner. Helping your loved one continue to do as much as possible (if he or she wishes to do so) can dramatically improve his quality of life.
Physical Therapy
The physical therapist can evaluate your loved one’s ability to move around safely in the home or facility in senior assisted living Shrewsbury. The therapist will determine what problems your loved one may be experiencing in getting around: walking (if applicable), in and out of bed, transfer from chair to bed, into the bathroom, to and from a car or wheelchair. The therapist can assess the patient’s level of pain and provide physical therapies which can help to reduce pain. Strengthening exercises may be given if your loved one would benefit from these, and the therapist can evaluate all the equipment or layout of your loved one’s living situation to make it safe and easily accessible.
Speech-Language Therapy
The speech-language therapist is specially trained in helping your loved one who might be experiencing difficulties in swallowing food, speaking or communicating in any way. The therapist can help the patient to better communicate and determine what types of foods or food textures are best. For example, some patients who have difficulty swallowing can safely swallow soft or blended foods or foods cooked in different ways. Making sure that your loved one is able to overcome swallowing problems could help your loved one live longer and would certainly improve his quality of life! If your loved one had difficulty speaking or could no longer speak at all, the therapist can help create alternative ways of communicating. Communication between the family members and the hospice patient is so important at the end of life. Unfinished family “business” (relationship issues) can be resolved and your love can be expressed and shared.
Credit: Hospice Patients Alliance
Ask your Hospice Provider about our therapy services for your loved one. Call us at (706) 225-7405 or email syoung@holbrooke.org for more information.
