Day Therapy Unit
Dove House Hospice's Day Therapy Unit is an area where patients can come one day a week and gain support from the staff at the hospice without needing the services for 24 hours a day. Patients can benefit from many different therapies and treatments as well as taking part in many varied activities. The atmosphere is informal, relaxed and friendly and offers patients a chance to chat and socialise with the group.
What does the Day Therapy Unit Offer?
Some people come to the Day Therapy specifically for the therapies and treatments whereas others benefit mainly from the support, advice or activities offered. This part of the hospice, as with all departments at Dove House, is completely patient centred and the staff will ensure that each patient's needs are catered for.
This area of Dove House Hospice offers patients the opportunity to take part in a variety of creative and therapeutic activities. These include exercising, creative writing, reminiscence work, arts and crafts, music, relaxation, quizzes, discussion groups and gardening. Activities are organised and run by one of the hospice therapists or one of the day therapy volunteers.
Different activities have different aims some, like creating writing and some arts, will allow a patient to address how they feel in a different way rather than talking directly about it and as a result this not only lifts a weight off of the patient's shoulders but also enables the Therapy and Support team to help the patient with their worries. Some activities, like the exercise groups or Nintendo Wii sessions, keep the patient active and give them important physiotherapy in a less formal setting and allow the patient to really enjoy themselves and have a good laugh too!
The Day Therapy Unit also enables patients to access specific therapies and appointments can be made with our therapists for the day the patient visits Dove House. Please click on the following links for more information on the different therapies on offer at Dove House Hospice:
Complementary Therapy Occupational Therapy Physiotherapy Music Therapy
Day Therapy also provides a big part of our current Respite Care facilities at the hospice. When a patient visits the hospice for one day a week it often gives their carer a day to themselves where they can get the shopping done or go to the gym without the worry that their loved one is home alone. Families and carers who have someone visit the Day Therapy Unit often mention that they feel they can relax knowing their loved one is in "safe hands" that day if anything should happen to them. Of course, the Day Therapy team welcome family and carers to come along with the patient on the day if they would like to.
The team on in Day Therapy work hard to plan the days based on different needs and requirements so when a patient first comes to the unit they will be allocated to the specific day that best suits their needs.
Who works in the Day Therapy Unit?
- Nursing Staff - There is always a member of the nursing team available to help patients with their care and offer symptom control, advice and support.
- Physiotherapists - to help patients with their mobility.
- Complementary Therapists - offer aromatherapy, reflexology and massage to reduce stress, help pain and improve sleep.
- Occupational Therapists - talk to patients to help them with their independence and work at getting things like aids fitted in the patients home.
- Music Therapists - use music in groups and with individuals to work through emotional issues and provide relaxation.
- Patient and Family Support Team - advise on practical (e.g., money) issues and support emotional issues.
To find out more about the people who work here at Dove House Hospice please click here.
The services provided in the day Therapy Unit are completely free of charge and are available to anyone over the age of 18 who has had a diagnosis of a non-curable life limiting illness. To find out more about this service please contact the Senior Sisters on 014782 784343 or email sisters@dovehouse.org.uk. If you think that yourself or someone you know might benefit from the services offered by the Day Therapy Unit please click here and visit our referrals page to find out how you can access the services.