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Palliative care is for anyone with a serious illness & provides additional support to the patient and family.
The Basics
The Basics
You will usually need to schedule with the family, caregiver, or an agency nurse.
A Physical Therapy care plan will have a large focus on caregiver training and support.
Your main role is to educate the family/caregiver or patient on how to safely transfer, ambulate (if possible), or position the patient in safe manner as to not hurt the patient or the caregiver while maintaining proper body mechanics.
You should always check with the ordering RN who requested the therapy visits to fully understand what the purpose of the visit or care plan should be. Respect the family as this is a sensitive time for them.
You are unlikely to go out for more than 1 or 2 visits, as the focus is not necessarily on restoring function. Please remember, hospice is not rehabilitative.
Frequency and durations may be 1w1 only, 2w1, 1w2, or 1w3 depending on the circumstances. Please discuss with the referring nurse or agency before finalizing your request.
What can Physical Therapy help with?
What can Physical Therapy help with?
Pain management and relief
Positioning to prevent pressure sores and aid breathing
Endurance training
Energy conservation techniques
Gait training
Transfer training
Therapeutic exercise
Edema management
Equipment training
Home modification
Family education
Additional Reading
Additional Reading
Patients might expect function to get worse and have less ability to walk as they move through the transition. PTs can anticipate those needs and educate the family and the patient. PTs can help the family get ready for the patient at home by teaching the family members how to use equipment, to help their loved one get out of bed properly, and to adapt a living environment.
Physical therapy can be a cost saving because it manages pain without medication, and it may bring some independence to the patient. By increasing their ability to move, patients may be less likely to develop other medical issues such as bed sores. Or it may take fewer people to help them walk to the bathroom.
This type of care may not necessarily fix things but may make the person feel better and gain some level of independence. You have to be comfortable knowing that your patient may be declining and that it's not due to failure on your part.
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