The heart of palliative care is maintaining quality of life while preparing for the occupation of death. With a holistic and patient-centered perspective, an OT can identify the occupations most important to the patient. Then, through a clinical lens, OT can provide a path to engaging in those occupations that support independence and provide meaningful engagement. OT enhances a patient’s resilience and ability to cope with the reality of palliative care.
The OT is uniquely positioned to provide meaningful interventions in a number of areas:
ADL, IADL, Leisure and Productivity
- Focus on maintaining independence
- Recommendations for adaptive equipment and modifications
- Energy conservation and activity balance strategies
- ROM exercises
Functional Mobility
- Performance-based home assessment
- Falls risk assessment and prevention strategies
- Recommendations for adaptive equipment and modifications
Pain Management
- Breathing techniques
- Pain journal
- Positioning devices
- Superficial heat and cold
- Stress management
Caregiver Resources
- Safe transfer and positioning strategies
- Passive ROM exercises
- Educational resources
Want to learn more about providing care in a palliative setting? Check out these resources that I have linked on my website OTToolkit.com
Palliative Care and Hospice Resources
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End www.goodreads.com
End of Life Articles www.nia.nih.gov/health/end-of-life
End of Life Caregiving www.nhpco.org
End of Life: Helping with Comfort and Care www.nia.nih.gov/End_of_Life_508.pdf
Managing Your Pain www.nhpco.org
Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care www.cms.gov/infograph-PalliativeCare.pdf
Support Groups www.hospicefoundation.org/Grief-(1)/Support-Groups
Supporting Someone Who is Grieving www.caringinfo.org
The Dying Process ~ A Guide for Family Caregivers www.nhpco.org
What is Palliative Care? www.medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions.htm
When Breath Becomes Air www.goodreads.com
