Occupational Therapy in Hospice Care

As hospice care becomes more integrated in the overall health care delivery system, the profession of occupational therapy needs to analyze further its potential within this unique system. This article briefly discusses the goals and philosophy of the hospice concept from the perspective of the National Hospice Organization. Occupational therapy intervention in terminal care is examined, with emphasis on locus of control and occupation as determinants in enhancing quality of life for the terminally ill in a nontraditional rehabilitative environment. A brief case study illustrates some of the general principles discussed throughout the article.