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Therapy services
Our therapy services are based in the day therapy unit but work across in-patient, day patient, out-patient and in some services, the community.
The therapy services team is made up of:
- Occupational therapy
- Complementary therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Art Therapy
Different therapies work in different ways and offer a variety of ways of helping in order to ease symptoms and provide an increased sense of well being. The aim of the therapy services, as with all our clinical services, is to improve quality of life and promote independence wherever possible.
- Our Occupational Therapist (OT) works with patients with a variety of medical conditions to promote independence and increase the level of functioning, using activities which are meaningful to the person. The OT can help you with Activities of Daily Living which cover any aspect of personal care. She can assess and give advice on techniques/equipment which may assist you to be more independent. This may include a home visit to assess difficulties and give practical advice in order to help to solve problems. The OT can also liaise with social services for possible provision of adaptations. The OT's role also covers the management of fatigue and weakness which are common symptoms of cancer and other life limiting illnesses and the management of anxiety. There are anxiety management groups but the OT can also work with people on a 1:1 basis. The OT also has a key role in the activities programme in day therapy which includes relaxation, computer skills and yoga. She is supported in this by dedicated volunteers who work in day therapy. There will also be OT led anxiety management grouped, relaxation and creative writing groups at the Dove House Hospice Drop-in.
For further information, please contact Jill Walmsley, OT, on 01482 784343 or e-mail j.walmsley@dovehouse.org.uk
- Our Complementary Therapies Co-ordinator leads a team of qualified complementary therapy volunteers who provide a service to patients across the hospice. Complementary therapies aim to provide patients with a pleasurable and beneficial experience which may help to ease symptoms and provide an increased sense of well being. They aim to benefit the person on an emotional, spiritual and physical level and are provided alongside other treatments. The benefits include creating a sense of relaxation and calm, improving symptoms such as pain, constipation and breathlessness, improving sleep patterns and reducing anxiety. Therapies offered include aromatherapy, therapeutic massage, reflexology, reiki, Indian head massage, manual lymph drainage and acupuncture. Acupuncture is provided by one of our physiotherapists who is fully qualified in this aspect of complementary therapy.
For further information please contact Caty Wood, Complementary therapies coordinator on 01482 784343 or e-mail c.wood@dovehouse.org.uk
- Our Physiotherapy Team is led by a clinical specialist in physiotherapy. The team is made up of senior physios and technicians and physio students have regular placements with us. The aim of physiotherapy in palliative care is to improve quality of life and promote independence. The physio team work across all of the hospice clinical settings and there is also an emphasis on research within the work of the clinical specialist. Treatments available include chest physio, pain control through the use of TNS () acupuncture, heat and ice, mobility and wheelchairs, walking aids and exercise.
- A specific service is offered for the treatment of breathlessness for patients with lung cancer and mesothelioma primarily but this service is also being developed for patients who are breathless due to other life-limiting illnesses. This service is offered on an out patient basis and comprises of interventions to enable patients to cope with their breathlessness. Non-pharmacological intervention include breathing control, anxiety management, pacing and relaxation.
For further information please contact Anne English, Clinical specialist, on 01482 784343 or e-mail a.english@dovehouse.org.uk
- Art therapy is provided by our Therapy services team leader. It is a way of expressing yourself when words are hard to find. Talking about your work with an art therapist can help to start to put words to thoughts and feelings which you may find confusing frightening or difficult. You do not need to be good at art to use this kind of therapy. It is about helping you look at thoughts, feelings, ideas or emotions so that they can become clearer to you. Art therapy can help with confidence and self esteem, anxiety, depression, grief and bereavement, relaxation and increasing your sense of identity. Such sessions are available on a 1:1 basis but if you do not feel that individual sessions are for you, then groups are available.
For further information, please contact Petra van der Zande on 01482 784343 or e-mail pv@dovehouse.org.uk