Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy at Compton Hospice
The Physiotherapist is one of the Palliative Care Team Members involved in rehabilitation.
What is rehabilitation in Palliative Care?
The purpose of rehabilitation is to improve the quality of life, so that patients' lives will be as comfortable and fulfilling as possible allowing them to live as independently as they can no matter how long or short the timescale of that life.
Palliative Care Rehabilitation:
- helps patients gain control and independence.
- responds quickly to help people adapt to their illness
- ensures a realistic approach to agreeing with the patient what is achievable
- is continually changing to keep pace with the individuals changing condition, circumstances or desires
Physiotherapy aims to maximise physical capabilities, promote independence and help people adapt to their condition. This is achieved by listening and advising on an individual basis the best way forward. Techniques may involve gentle exercise programmes, advice about helpful aids and other physical methods, which do not cause any distress or pain.
The physiotherapy service is available to in-patients, those people attending the Day Centre at Compton Hospice and on an outpatient basis. Advice and instruction is available to relatives and carers about the best ways to handle and move patients, thus ensuring the safety and comfort of everyone involved.
Close professional links exist between the physiotherapist and other services those within the hospice, hospital and community based services and on occasion, with agreement from the patient, a referral will be made to another appropriate service.
