Hospice Physical Therapy In Orinda City, California
Physical therapy is the evaluation and treatment of aberrant physical function caused by an injury, disability, disease or condition.
What to Anticipate?
A physical therapist assists patients throughout the healing process, from initial diagnosis to restorative and preventive stages of recovery. Physical therapy may be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments.
While some patients are referred to a physical therapist by their physician, others seek treatment on their own.
Whichever route a patient takes to reach a physical therapist, they can anticipate the following:
- Undergo a physical examination and evaluation, which may include taking a health history and performing various testing procedures, such as assessing posture, mobility and flexibility, as well as muscle and joint motion and function.
- Obtain a clinical diagnosis, prognosis, treatment plan and short- and long-term objectives.
- Treatment and intervention in physical therapy are determined by the therapist’s evaluation and diagnosis.
- Receive recommendations for self-management
- Patients frequently work with a physical therapist on exercises they may do at home to improve their function.
The Therapist's Function
The physical therapist’s position in hospice care is distinct from the therapist’s work as a part of a rehabilitation team. Physical therapists must make significant job modifications in order to tailor their services to the hospice care industry. Physical therapists contribute to hospice patient care by transitioning from a dominating role to one of problem solver and listener, according to a National Institutes of Health Research.
Thus, therapists are able to:
- Assist the patient in retaining functioning capacities for the maximum amount of time possible.
- Reduce the carers’ strain, particularly close friends and family members.
- Assist with pain management.
- Assist hospice nurses in providing care for their patients.
When it comes to direct patient care, physical therapists are critical members of the hospice care team, offering critical services such as:
- Management and alleviation of pain
- Avoiding pressure sores, alleviating pain, preventing contractures and assisting with breathing and digestion
- Endurance training and approaches for energy conservation
- Training in gait, transfers, safety and stair climbing
- Exercises for therapeutic purposes
- Edema management, a disorder defined by an abnormal accumulation of water in the body
- Recommendations for equipment, training and modification
- Alterations to the home (if necessary)
Perhaps one of the most important aspects of becoming a physical therapist in a hospice care setting is assuming the role of instructor. Education may include not just teaching the patient how to move effectively and safely but also educating the patient’s caregivers so they get familiar with the routine. As is the case with many other members of the hospice care team, physical therapists may also serve as counselors bringing strong communication skills to each interaction. Indeed, many physical therapists have mastered the discipline of active listening.
Yes, physical therapists assist their patients in avoiding injuries, resolving safety issues and providing pain relief. However, they also have another task to undertake, which frequently entails reestablishing their patient’s sense of themself. To approach death with dignity and self-respect can significantly improve one’s quality of life, while reducing nurse and social worker visits and preventing the risk of damage. As such, physical therapists frequently work to improve patients’ dignity and quality of life with the goal of promoting a healthy existence until death.
How To Maximize Physical Therapy Benefits During Palliative Care?
While some residents and others may view palliative care as a replacement for conventional medical care, it is actually a transition to a different style of care.
Rather than pursuing a cure or undergoing risky, unpleasant procedures, palliative care emphasizes focusing on and increasing quality of life, regardless of whether the patient is receiving hospice care or simply want to change their approach to health.
Melodia Care’s team works with a diverse range of customers at various stages of their lives. Certain clients may simply require home health care and all of the associated services such as access to a variety of therapies. Alternatively, they may be receiving palliative care but can still benefit significantly from routine home health care visits and treatment.
Melodia Care’s therapeutic options include speech therapy, which assists clients in regaining the ability to form words following a stroke, brain damage or other health conditions; occupational therapy, which assists clients in learning or relearning specific skills necessary to function in their daily lives; and physical therapy, which can rebuild damaged muscles or improve overall body movement and performance.
All of these therapies can be especially beneficial for patients who are unable to exercise alone or are unsure of how to attain optimal outcomes.
Orthopedic Treatment
This form of therapy can be quite effective for a variety of issues ranging from specific loss of coordination or muscular strength caused by medical disorders or injuries to general decline caused by aging and poor physical health.
Along with assisting in muscle and joint restoration, physical therapists can provide pain management as well as hot and cold massage therapies. Additionally, they can work closely with each patient to develop customized exercises that can be performed during the therapist’s visit and then as “homework” on days when the therapist is not available.
When physical therapy is administered effectively, any type of healing or ongoing physical improvement is consistent and may also provide more positive benefits as a result of the increased frequency with which it is practiced.
Physical treatment may also provide additional benefits. It can increase mobility and make it easier for people to move around their houses. This increased sense of freedom can be encouraging for clients who may have injuries, balance issues or other illnesses that prevent them from enjoying their quality of life because they are afraid to move or because walking hurts too much.
This is why it is beneficial for patients at every stage of life, including hospice care.
Advantages In General
Physical therapy, according to the American Physical Therapy Association, can offer a variety of benefits for people of various ages and ailments. However, it is particularly beneficial for individuals who are getting hospice or other forms of palliative care. Though research into palliative care is still in its infancy, what has been conducted thus far appears promising as a means of enhancing one’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
The findings are based on a closer examination of 13 participants who have been diagnosed with terminal or life-threatening illnesses. They ranged in age from 40 to 70 years and may have had a variety of physical therapies, including workouts; the amount and type of materials distributed; and their age.
Therapeutic/strengthening activities were provided, as well as balance and fall training, transfer training and general education for clients and their families.
According to this Melodia Care observation, all questioned customers reported overall benefits in their lives, including less pain and improved happiness. Additionally, five participants stated that physical treatment improved their overall quality of life and overall contentment.
Additional Recommendations
According to Hospice Patients, physical therapy is one of numerous therapies that are particularly beneficial to them.
Even if the ultimate goal is not complete rehabilitation and assisting someone in “getting better,” as patients while not receiving hospice care may receive critical services such as strengthening, flexibility and balance to assist clients in moving around more comfortably and safely.
They’ll gain strength and discover safe techniques to move around independently or with the assistance of a cane or wheelchair. Additionally, a physical therapist may teach a range of activities to help alleviate discomfort.
Additionally, he or she can inspect a client’s home and recommend any other environmental adjustments such as removing carpets that could provide a tripping hazard or adding safety rails in strategic locations.
Patients or family members considering physical therapy alternatives should be prepared to describe their daily routines including which activities are necessary and which are difficult, dangerous or cause discomfort.
Make an appointment with Melodia Care Hospice.
At Melodia Care, we offer comprehensive caregiving teams that can include a physical therapist. Each of our patients gets access to an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals supervised by a registered nurse (RN), as well as physicians, aides, social workers and pharmacists.
Contact us at 1- 888 635-6347 (MELODI-7) to learn more about our hospice services and how we can help your loved one achieve the highest possible quality of life as they approach the end of life.