THERAPISTS

The hospice benefit provides physical therapy services, occupational therapy services, and speech-language therapy services for those hospice patients that would benefit from such therapy. See below for a description of the differences between these types of therapies and how they can benefit the hospice patient.

Occupational Therapist

An Occupational Therapist assists patients with their activities of daily living (ADL's)... In other words, they help them to do the normal everyday tasks that are commonly performed throughout the day, such as bathing, getting dressed, brushing teeth, and feeding, etc. If there are difficulties in performing these types of tasks, the therapist can devise alternative ways of accomplishing these tasks which allow the patient to remain more independent (and less dependent upon others) which can often help tremendously with the patient's self-esteem and attitude.

Physical Therapist

The physical therapist can evaluate your loved one's ability to move around safely in the home or facility. The therapist will determine what problems the patient is experiencing in getting around. Some typical areas in which a physical therapist may help is with walking (if applicable), getting in and out of bed, transfer from chair to bed, into the bathroom, to and from a car or wheelchair. The therapist can assess the patient's level of pain and provide physical therapies which can help to reduce pain. Strengthening exercises may be given if your loved one would benefit from these, and the therapist can evaluate all the equipment or layout of your loved one's living situation to make it safe and easily accessible.

Speech/Language Therapist

The speech language therapist is especially trained in helping your loved one if they experience difficulties in swallowing food, speaking or communicating in any way. The therapist can help the patient to better communicate and determine what types of foods or food textures are best. For example, some patients who have difficulty swallowing can safely swallow soft or blended foods or foods cooked in different ways. We may also call a speech therapist in to help if a patient has been on a feeding tube but expresses interest in eating certain foods. We want to make the patient's quality of life as good as possible but we need the speech therapist to evaluate that patient to ensure that it is safe to eat certain foods.

For more information on therapy services provided at Homestead Hospice, call the Homestead Hospice Hotline at 877-355-4472.