American
Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine, February 2015, vol./is.
32/1(34-43)
Barawid
E, Covarrubias N, Tribuzio B, Liao S
This
review article focuses on rehabilitation interventions that can be beneficial
in patients with late stage illnesses. Rehabilitation may be useful in
improving the quality of life by palliating function, mobility, activities of
daily living, pain relief, endurance, and the psyche of a patient while helping
to maintain as much independence as possible, leading to a decrease in burden
on caregivers and family. Rehabilitative services are underutilized in the
palliative care setting, and more research is needed to address how patients
may benefit as they approach the end of their lives.