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Hospice Physical Therapy

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The topic that I chose to research is Hospice and the role of physical therapy. I chose this topic because my great grandmother like many others spent her final days receiving hospice care in her home. It never occurred to me that the delivery of physical therapy services could support individuals in the final stage of life. I found the topic interesting and I wanted to learn more.
The article that I selected is titled Rehabilitation of the Hospice and Palliative Care Patient. Multiple factors associated with disability include neurologic and musculoskeletal problems, deconditioning, pain, bowel and bladder dysfunction, thromboembolic disease and coexisting comorbidities. These factors often lead to depression, poor quality of life, increased caregiver needs, and the need for institutionalization. The objective of the article is to review the role of the rehabilitation team and the benefits in treating patients in hospice care. Treatment plans for these patients may involve occupational, physical and speech-language therapy interventions intended to optimize comfort and function.
Specific modalities and interventions utilized by physical therapists in this study include caregiver and patient education on energy conservation and environmental modification, provision of adaptive and assistive …show more content…

Physical therapy plays a pivotal role in the health care team regarding longterm health care for the elderly. Patients in the hospice setting are facing serious diseases that are possibly life threatening and life limiting. Home therapy plays an important role in helping an individual increase strength and functional capacity, symptom management and pain control issue that can impair quality of life. Physical therapy in hospice not only impacts a patient’s physical well-being but also their social and emotional

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