Rehabilitation and Wellbeing
The Rehabilitation and Wellbeing Team at Highland Hospice can offer a range of support to help people to live well with a life shortening illness.
Personalised support is available from the multidisciplinary team and may include:
- Time with a member of the team to talk about what is important to you and ask any questions you may have.
- Advice to help you manage symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue and anxiety.
- Practical support to help you to continue doing the things you enjoy and to maintain your independence.
- Advice and signposting about finances, benefits and accessing social care.
- Support to help you begin planning ahead, such as getting legal documents in place or thinking about how you might like to be cared for.
- Support for your family and friends
- Support to capture stories about your life and memories that you may wish to share.
- Access to creative sessions where you can try out new techniques or make gifts.
- Complementary therapies (see below).
"They encourage you and help you live despite your diagnosis and to live your best life.”
Wellbeing Groups
We have a number of very friendly, informal groups on offer each week. This includes Tai Chi, Creative Sessions, a Men’s Group and a Women’s Group. They are a great place to meet other people who share similar circumstances and to gain support and advice.
If you think you or someone you know may benefit from support, please give us a call to find out more.
Complementary Therapies
The Complementary Therapy Service operates aspart of Rehabilitation and Wellbeing with support and advice from the Medical team. If you think you may benefit from the support of this service please speak to a health professional involved in your care, such as your GP, and ask them to make a referral by completing the Community Services Referral Form below.
What the service can offer
Complementary Therapies include treatments such as aromatherapy, massage therapy, reflexology, relaxation techniques (including mindfulness and meditation), natural nutrition and tai chi/qigong.
Who to refer
The service is available to all referred Highland Hospice patients. Referrals to the complementary therapy service are usually through GP’s and other healthcare professionals e.g Macmillan Nurse.
We welcome referrals for people living in the Highlands with a life limiting condition, who may benefit from the support of this palliative care service. The support may be given to help people adjust to living with illness, as intermittent referrals for short periods, or to support with end of life care.
Complementary Therapies can support the following areas:
- Emotional and Psychological support – anxiety/fear (overwhelmed by situation); Coping with life limiting illness
- Physical symptoms – support of symptoms which are being treated by orthodox medicine such as constipation, pain and nausea
- Aromatherapy can help with some of the side effects of chemotherapy e.g. peripheral neuropathy, cracking and itching skin. We can also work alongside District/Specialist Nurses to help with the management of fungating wounds.
- As part of an integrated approach with other healthcare professionals to help management of symptoms such as breathlessness and fatigue
- Tai Chi can help with mobility/falls
Referrals
A referral will be required to join some of our sessions. The Community Services Referral Form is available to download below or by calling the Team on 01463 227914. Referrals can be completed by anyone actively involved in someone’s care such as a GP, District Nurse, or Macmillan Nurse.
Contact
For more information please contact the Rehabilitation and Wellbeing Team on 01463 227914 or email rehabandwellbeing@highlandhospice.org.