Occupational Therapy services for hospice patient include:
Occupational therapy with an emphasis on palliative and hospice care can be provided in a hospital setting, a specialized hospice facility, an individual’s home, or an outpatient setting. Occupational therapy practitioners use a client-centered approach to evaluate of the needs of the client in his or her occupational roles (e.g., parent, spouse, worker), identify current and potential abilities, and determine barriers to engaging in occupations, including activities of daily living, instrumental ADLs, rest and sleep, leisure, and social participation. They also help prevent contractures and maintain joint integrity with stretching routines or splints that don’t interfere with daily activities. The following are examples of occupational therapy interventions that can be effective in palliative and hospice care. Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) • Dressing: Use adaptive equipment, modified techniques, energy conservation principles, and proper body mechanics to minimize fatigue, overexertion, and pain (e.g., getting dressed in bed to maximize independence and safety). • Bathing and showering: Use specialized or adaptive equipment to maximize safety (e.g., grab bars, shower bench) and incorporate energy conservation principles. • Functional mobility: Incorporate falls prevention strategies (e.g., remove hazards like scatter rugs, improve lighting) and foster awareness of safety issues and limitations within the environment, while reinforcing confidence and capabilities. Provide optimal positioning and mobility devices to increase comfort and safety, while decreasing risk for pressure sores. Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) • Meal preparation: Incorporate energy conservation principles and activity modifications such as using wheeled carts and reorganizing kitchen storage for easier access. Encourage a healthy diet and provide resources for nutrition management. • Home management: Assess activity tolerance and body mechanics with tasks such as house cleaning or doing laundry, if appropriate. Suggest activity modifications, support systems, adaptive equipment, pacing, and energy conservation techniques.
Occupational therapy with an emphasis on palliative and hospice care can be provided in a hospital setting, a specialized hospice facility, an individual’s home, or an outpatient setting. Occupational therapy practitioners use a client-centered approach to evaluate of the needs of the client in his or her occupational roles (e.g., parent, spouse, worker), identify current and potential abilities, and determine barriers to engaging in occupations, including activities of daily living, instrumental ADLs, rest and sleep, leisure, and social participation. They also help prevent contractures and maintain joint integrity with stretching routines or splints that don’t interfere with daily activities. The following are examples of occupational therapy interventions that can be effective in palliative and hospice care. Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) • Dressing: Use adaptive equipment, modified techniques, energy conservation principles, and proper body mechanics to minimize fatigue, overexertion, and pain (e.g., getting dressed in bed to maximize independence and safety). • Bathing and showering: Use specialized or adaptive equipment to maximize safety (e.g., grab bars, shower bench) and incorporate energy conservation principles. • Functional mobility: Incorporate falls prevention strategies (e.g., remove hazards like scatter rugs, improve lighting) and foster awareness of safety issues and limitations within the environment, while reinforcing confidence and capabilities. Provide optimal positioning and mobility devices to increase comfort and safety, while decreasing risk for pressure sores. Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) • Meal preparation: Incorporate energy conservation principles and activity modifications such as using wheeled carts and reorganizing kitchen storage for easier access. Encourage a healthy diet and provide resources for nutrition management. • Home management: Assess activity tolerance and body mechanics with tasks such as house cleaning or doing laundry, if appropriate. Suggest activity modifications, support systems, adaptive equipment, pacing, and energy conservation techniques.