Occupational Therapy in Palliative care setting
The role of the occupational therapist within the field of palliative care is diverse, addressing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects. They have a key role within the multi-professional team, in enabling patients to maintain and enhance life roles, function and quality of life. This holistic approach encompasses the occupations that are of value to the individual, whether in terms of personal self-care, domestic activities, productive activity or leisure. By focusing on the unique desires of each patient and facilitating their maximum functional performance regardless of life expectancy, occupational therapists enable individuals to retain as much control as possible. It may be that an Occupational therapist will give skills to a client to wash comfortably rather than the client waiting for an attendant and this will help;
• Reduce anxiety.
• Promoting self-esteem
• Dignity
• Privacy
• Avoiding being dependent on others
• safety