Integrative Therapies Complement Traditional Medical Care
Complementary or integrative therapies, are often utilized in hospice care. These therapies are non-drug symptom management tools that work together with or “complement” conventional medicine. Medical research has demonstrated that these therapies can be instrumental in relieving stress, decreasing pain, and adding quality to one’s remaining days.
All Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care Complementary Therapies are administered by licensed therapists and specially trained volunteers. Some therapies are offered to patients in their homes, or in long-term care and assisted living facilities. Hospice professionals can guide patients in making informed decisions about their care and incorporating Complementary Therapies into a comprehensive plan of care.
A total of 20 Complementary Therapies are offered at the Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care Inpatient Unit (IPU), including:
Acupuncture employs an ancient Asian technique using needles to stimulate and balance the body’s energy flow which can alleviate pain and control many other symptoms.
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Aromatherapy uses therapeutic-grade essential oils through touch therapy. This essential oil therapy aids in the management of symptoms such as anxiety, pain, nausea and edema.
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Creative Expressions provides an outlet for expressions by the patient and family members. Working with a variety of mediums, the expression is not focused on the finished product; rather the gift of creating with another person.
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Friends in Faith allows patients and families to express their individual faith traditions and beliefs with a trained volunteer of that same faith background, including Roman Catholic Eucharistic Ministers.
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Pet Therapy utilizes animals as nurturing, compassionate beings that offer comfort and solace through one-on-one interactions. Our IPU also features two freestanding aviaries and a salt water aquarium.
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Reflections is a memory building activity with a focus on leaving a legacy for the patients’ family and friends in the form of a video, scrapbook, journal, audio tape or artwork to share something meaningful that their loved ones will cherish forever.
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Sentimental Journey recognizes that many patients and families enter hospice with unmet dreams and offers them an opportunity for an outing that might not otherwise happen. American Medical Response provides equipment and EMTs and Paramedics, to offer outings with additional comfort and safety. Patients have accessed this program for athletic events, church services, and such diverse outings such as going to the top of Pikes Peak.
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Soothing Sounds (Music Therapy) local musicians use their talents to create a soothing environment for patients and their loved ones. Using volunteer musicians from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, as well as a comprehensive CD library, Soothing Sounds addresses individual needs.
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Touch Therapies incorporates a variety of touch modalities to help with a patient’s pain and stress, including:
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• Healing Touch
• Massage
• Quantum Touch
• Reconnective Healing
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• Reflexology
• Reiki
• Soma Pi Healing
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