Addressing the Gap: Occupational Therapy in Hospice Care

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Palliative Care

Background:

• Hospice care patients face numerous occupational challenges impacting their quality of life.
• Occupational therapy (OT) can significantly enhance dignity and independence for individuals nearing end-of-life.
• Current utilization of OT services within hospice settings appears limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the extent of occupational therapy utilization among hospice care patients.
• To identify characteristics of hospice patients who receive OT services.
• To highlight the need for increased OT integration in hospice care.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from the National Home and Hospice Care Survey.
• Statistical methods included independent t-tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, Chi-square tests, and logistic regressions.
• Examination of patient demographics and service utilization patterns.

Main Results:

• Only 10.6% of surveyed hospice patients received occupational therapy.
• Patients receiving OT were significantly older and had shorter lengths of hospice care.
• Over 85% of patients required assistance with at least one activity of daily living (ADL).

Conclusions:

• There is a substantial gap in occupational therapy provision for hospice patients.
• Findings underscore the necessity of expanding the occupational therapy workforce in hospice.
• Advocating for the value and integration of OT services is essential for improving end-of-life care.