Community palliative care

Complementary Therapies provide a dimension to palliative care that supports and complements existing medical treatments.

Having the power to touch the inner self, these therapies help the client towards a natural state of physical, emotional and spiritual balance.

Eastern Palliative Care works on a multi-disciplinary model of care with all disciplines and programs coming together in a team approach. The complementary therapies program is a core component of our service.

Massage

Massage Therapy as a proven and dynamic therapy, practitioners may use many styles and techniques to benefit the client. Some of the massage techniques being used in palliative care are:

– to release those aches, pains and discomfort in the body and limbs and for stress release

• Therapeutic massage – for better blood circulation and back, neck and shoulder problems
• Lymphoedema massage – to minimise fluid retention in arms, legs, feet or ankles
• Shiatsu massage – pressure point massage to relieve stress and discomfort in the whole body
• Reflexology – stimulating various pressure points associated with different body organs

Music Therapy

Eastern Palliative Care’s Music Therapy is for clients living with a life-limiting illness and their families. Music therapy for bereavement care is also available.

What is Music Therapy?

Music Therapy utilises music as a tool to support you in improving or maintaining your quality of life, and can assist you physically, emotionally, spiritually, intellectually and socially.

Registered Music Therapists (RMT) are specifically trained to support you in your own home and music therapy sessions are tailored according to your interests and wishes. The RMT works as a part of the EPC team to support your care.

You don’t need to be musical to benefit from music therapy.

How can Music Therapy assist?

• reduce physical discomfort (eg pain, breathlessness, insomnia)
• reduce feelings of loneliness
• opportunities for special times shared with loved ones
• memory reflection>
• promote coping strategies to help you remain at home
• dealing with loss and grief issues
• provide an alternative way of communicating
• creating a legacy>
• relaxation

• enjoyment and fun

What might a music therapy session look like?

• use of live music and/or recorded music
• song choice
• song writing
• music and imagery/relaxation
• active music making
• musical life review

Art Therapy

For clients living with a life-limiting illness, the nature of Art Therapy extends an invitation for you to experience something new.

There are a variety of choices for creative expression being offered to you in your own home such as painting, drawing, writing, printmaking, photography, digital media, sculpture, journaling, collage and craft, just to name a few. While we supply basic materials, our Art Therapist aims to resource and support your unique ideas.

Art Therapy can be used by almost anyone. It is about the experience, unless a finished product is your personal aspiration. Whether you use Art Therapy for enjoyment or as a support to your well-being, with the therapist you get to set your own goals.

Art Therapy may assist with:

• mood imbalances
• anxiety
• morbid thoughts / feelings
• an integrated sense of self / identity
• creative relationship strategies
• meaning making generating life interests
• permission for feelings expression
• creating legacies
• relaxation
• fun enjoyment

Issues such as pain, anxiety or depression may be supported with a range of options including breathing and relaxation techniques provided by the Art Therapist.