Health Care for the Future of the Aging Population-4
A plan for adding alternative therapies to the comfort measures in place for patients in EOL situations will provide greater options in providing care. The complementary treatments such as music therapy, aromatherapy, massage, and healing touch provide significant levels of comfort. The therapies soothe patients in terminal care conditions, stimulating fond memories through scents and music and promoting pain relief via massage and healing touch. A strength is that both aromatherapy and music therapy can be provided for minimal cost expenditures. Providing both of these touch therapies could be accomplished for low to moderate financial requirements. Healing touch can be an option for patients during any bathing, turning, or moving procedures. Aromatherapy and music can be supplied to the patients at regular intervals around the clock. Massage therapy can be incorporated into the physical therapy regime for EOL patients and healing touch can be taught to the nursing care providers at all levels. An additional strength is that none of the treatments have significant risks nor will the therapies interfere with intensive care unit functions, care provision, or equipment, the staff may also benefit from the comfort provided.
Some weaknesses of the plan will include resistance and opposition by staff members to an increase in the workload if the plan does not incorporate the time required by the touch therapies. Aromatherapy and music therapy should not increase work requirements as long as the supplies are available. Another weakness may be in the lack of understanding by patients, families, and staff of the benefits of these treatments. Seeing them as giving up or encouraging death will be some views of the therapies and palliative care that will need to be addressed. Educational programs will be one of the significant costs to implementing the plan.
Opportunities of the strategic plan to implement complementary therapy into palliative care programs of ICU’s include the chance to educate the healthcare providers, public, insurance providers, and the community as a whole. The education should include not only responsible decision making for EOL health conditions but being able to choose the comfort measures desired when a terminal situation arises. Preparedness is a better measure for the increasingly sick population that will be seen in the coming years. Implementing these simple and noninvasive alternative measures into the comfort care of the dying will open the doors to integrating other complementary therapies into more healthcare situations. Here will be a chance to educate administrators and upper management about alternative treatments that often are paid for out of pocket by clients and that patients seeking these therapies will provide revenue to the facility.
