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Hospice Physical Therapy 

Hospice is dedicated to helping terminally ill patients and their families as they navigate through the various challenges of end of life care.  This model of specialized medicine offers support in the form of certified nursing and social services, supportive palliative care, spiritual and emotional counseling, guidance for estate planning and more.   

One helpful aspect of hospice is the use of Physical Therapy (PT).  Hospice PT addresses the symptoms of the disease which often include pain and debilitation.  The purpose of Hospice PT is to improve the quality of life for the patient. 

Hospice Physical Therapy has three main objectives: (1) to alleviate pain; (2) to restore function; and (3) to protect against injury.

Alleviating Pain

Hospice PT uses an assortment of nonmedicated treatments to help alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with headaches, muscle spasms, inflammation, joint strain, nerve sensitivity, soft tissue damage and other symptoms related to the patient’s disease or disorder.

Possible treatments:        

         Massage

         Heat

         Cold packs

         Hydrotherapy

Restoring Function

Stiffness, discomfort, and the fear of pain can discourage movement in any area of the body.  Hospice PT exercises are designed to improve movement and restore function, so the patient has the ability to use their arms, legs, fingers, neck, and back to accomplish simple daily tasks. 

Sample exercises:

         Stretches for long muscles

         Stretches for spine and neck

         Extending and flexing hands, fingers, elbows and knees

         Arm and leg lifts 

Protecting Against Injury

When a terminally ill patient chooses hospice over ongoing treatments, they are choosing life lived to the fullest to the end.  This often includes opportunities to attend special events with their friends and family; entertaining guests; or participating in community programs.  In order to engage in social events and simply in daily life without the fear of injury, Hospice PT gives the patient the tools to safely maneuver through their home and through a typical outing.

Some of these tools include:

         Balance

         Flexibility

         Ease of movement

         Correct posture 

Hospice Physical Therapy is carried out by professional therapists and nurses.  They in turn demonstrate the exercises to the caregiver so that treatment can be ongoing.  This system ensures success for the hospice patient in reaching their goals and improving the quality of their daily life.

Gifted Hearts Hospice and Palliative Care in Seguin, TX, is a fully staffed facility available to patients who call South Central Texas their home.  It is nestled in the beautiful New Braunfels area as the best hospice near San Antonio, Texas.  It offers palliative care for patients of any age in any stage of illness.  It also offers all four levels of hospice care and maintains its motto: “Live until you Leave.”