Website of the HIV Special Interest Group
-as part of the College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section - HIV/AIDs, Oncology & Palliative Care
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Website of the HIV Special Interest Group -as part of the College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section - HIV/AIDs, Oncology & Palliative Care
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Hospices play a role in end of life care and symptom control for some people living with HIV. Criteria for entry and usage of hospice facilities vary from area to area. In some areas some end of life care is delivered in specialist HIV units such as the Mildmay Hospital UK in London. Hospices can vary in staff mix but often have a team consisting of nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, an occupational therapist, community Macmillan nurses, social workers, a psychologist and complementary therapists, all specialising in palliative care. The team also includes catering and domestic staff, a large group of volunteers, administrative and fundraising staff. Hospice teams provide a superior degree of holistic patient and family centred care for people with life threatening illnesses such as cancer, HIV and motor neurone disease. Some hospices offer services both to inpatients and to outpatients with life limiting disease. Services are offered to clients in the hospice unit, in attached day centres and to patients at home by the community palliative care team. The occupational therapist evaluates and assesses the clients’ functional abilities and provides intervention to promote independence in activities of daily living and quality of life issues are addressed. Various assessments may be conducted by the occupational therapist, e.g. wash/dress, kitchen, access/home visits, transfers, wheelchair and seating and cognitive. In a hospice setting the occupational therapist may provide: -recommendations and provision of equipment which may facilitate independence, comfort or improved quality of life -pressure care advice -anxiety and stress management -relaxation therapy -moving and handling advice -advice for clients with sensory impairments (e.g. hearing, sight, communication difficulties) -rehabilitation
Compiled by: Clarissa Gifford, Occupational Therapist St John’s Hospice, 60 Grove End Road, St John’s Wood London NW8 9NH Tel: 0207 806 4039 E-mail: clarissa.gifford@hje.org.uk February 2005 Edited by Will Chegwidden June 2006 |
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Send mail to
will.chegwidden@bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk with
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