Music Therapy
Music is restorative in nature. Through music therapy, people in distress, especially hospice patients, their families, and caregivers, can relax their minds and bodies, recharge their spirits, and even mend emotional wounds.
Additionally, music has been found to have significantly reduced pain, depression, anxiety, and other symptoms caused by the patient’s condition and situation. Some of the methods used by music therapists are singing, songwriting, lyric analysis, improvisation, instrument playing, guided imagery & music, and music therapy relaxation techniques.
Music therapy can positively affect these symptoms:
- Isolation
- Boredom
- Loneliness
- Depression
- Anger
- Fear
- Anxiety
- Frustration
- Neurological Impairments
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Pain Shortness of Breath
- Lack of Spiritual Connection
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy may be included in end-of-life care for symptom control and helping the hospice patient maintain their independence and basic functional skills to perform daily activities. The role of the speech therapist in hospice care is basically about providing consultation to patients, families, and caregivers about cognition, communication, and swallowing functions. Speech therapists are also helpful in developing strategies that promote the patient’s communication, social, and decision-making skills.
Speech therapy during the end of life is more on facilitative intervention. It helps caregivers and patients to come up with a compensatory strategy that will allow the patient to be as independent as possible and interact with their family and friends.
Occupational Therapy
The role of occupational therapy in hospice focuses on modifying and tailoring interventions to adapt to the client’s changing needs, wishes, and abilities while minimizing potential barriers and maximizing strengths. Engaging patients in occupational activities can give them a sense of independence and control of their lives amid their illness, optimizing their quality of life and well-being.
Occupational Therapy Services in Hospice
- Usage of Adaptive Equipment
- Modified Techniques and Proper Body Mechanics to Reduce Fatigue, Over-Exertion, and Pain
- Fall Prevention
- Home Management
- Pain Management
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy in hospice is aimed at evaluating the patient’s ability to move around safely and assisting them in getting in and out of bed and walking. Generally, physical therapy maximizes the patient’s functional ability while ensuring their safety, as well as provides physical, emotional, and spiritual support to hospice patients.
Physical Therapy Services in Hospice
- Pain and Symptom Control
- Mobility Assistance
- Caregiver Education
- Comfort Optimization
- Maximization of Remaining Functional Abilities
- Therapeutic Exercises
- Positioning and Transferring Assistance
Pet Therapy
Employing animal companionship or pet therapy during the end-of-life process is very beneficial to hospice patients. It has been proven that pets offer faithful companionship and unconditional love for the humans in their lives. This special characteristic of pets creates a powerful emotional bond between them and humans. And this is what hospice care providers utilize during animal-assisted therapy. This bond naturally gives the hospice patient a feeling of comfort, joy, peace, and soothing companionship. Other than that, pet therapy can reduce anxiety and stress among these patients.
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