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Alternative Therapies Offered by VNA Care Hospice
In conjunction with our hospice volunteer program, VNA Care Network & Hospice offers a select number of complementary, alternative therapies for patients and their loved ones. The effectiveness of alternative therapies is completely individual and dependent upon the patient's existing physical, spiritual, and emotional state of being.
- Journaling is an opportunity for patients to preserve special memories or soothe troubled ones, increase focus, bring out their natural beauty and wisdom, change and integrate thoughts and feelings, release pent-up emotions, detach and let go of the past, and be able to live life to the fullest.
- Oral history is a one-on-one interview with patients that captures memories and life stories on a videotape/audiotape for future generations to cherish and enjoy.
- Expressive therapy is for both groups and individuals of all ages working with an expressive therapist to utilize the arts — music, movement, drama, play, art, and writing — as a vehicle toward creative expression, reflection, and personal growth. As a master's prepared clinician, the expressive therapist integrates her arts' knowledge with the skills of counseling, psychotherapy, and rehabilitation. It is an especially effective treatment in managing grief and furthering the emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration of the self.
- Massage therapy provides therapeutic massage within the context of the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and is a tool for pain relief and symptom management. Massage has been shown to reduce pain, decrease stress and anxiety, heighten peacefulness, and restore emotional balance and overall physical comfort.
- Music therapy uses sounds and music to support and encourage physical, mental, social, spiritual, and emotional well-being. Music can reduce pain, alleviate symptoms, and promote communication.
- Reiki treats the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual body. It can provide relaxation, reduce anxiety, and help with pain management, emotional balancing and a sense of peacefulness while working in harmony with traditional medicine. Reiki may also be helpful in reducing the side effects of medication and treatments.
Patients may request an alternative therapy by talking to their hospice nurse. For more information about hospice care, contact VNA Care Network & Hospice's Referral Center at 800-728-1862 or info@vnacarenetwork.org. For TTY access, call 508-751-6926.