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Integrative & Holistic Services
LDV Hospice believes that integrative and holistic medicines and therapies can play an important role in our Care Plans for our patients. Here you will find information about the role that Integrative & Holistic Medicines and Therapies play when developing our Care Plans.
Holistic Therapies in Hospice: Complementary and Alternative Medicines
When being faced with a terminal diagnosis, Holistic, Complementary, and Alternative Therapies can help our patients in many ways. They can be beneficial to a person's spiritual, emotional, and social needs, which can help to give hospice patients closure at the end of life. They also have physical benefits too, often helping with pain, discomfort, lack of appetite, fatigue, and depression. Complementary Therapies are designed to be used alongside conventional medical treatments, whereas Alternative Therapies are therapies used instead of conventional medical treatments. At LDV Hospice, we offer our patients several different types of Complementary Therapies.
THC & CBD Therapy: Can It Help?
The use of THC & CBD can help with muscle spasm, pain, persistent nausea, and cachexia (extreme weight loss & muscle wasting). It can also play an essential therapeutic role for people facing death by reducing the psychological trauma that terminal illness diagnoses, as well as invasive treatments, can cause the patient. Integrating THC and CBD into hospice & palliative care will improve overall quality of life, and further reduce stress and suffering so patients can experience some tranquility while facing a terminal illness.
New Mexico State Cannabis Laws
New Mexico Laws currently state that any adult age 21 or older can legally possess up to two (2) ounces of marijuana. New Mexico Laws also state that any adult age 21 or older is legally allowed to cultivate up to six (6) mature plants at a time, but cultivation is not allowed within a drug-free school zone. If a patient wishes to acquire their medical cannabis card which carries extra benefits (no taxes paid on purchases, etc.), a hospice admission is a valid and accepted reason for approval of a medical cannabis card.
Complementary Therapies We Offer Our Patients
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy in hospice involves the use of aromatic essential oils extracted from plants to promote physical and emotional well-being among patients. It harnesses the power of scent to create a soothing and calming environment, contributing to patients' comfort and quality of life. In hospice care, aromatherapy is beneficial as it can help alleviate symptoms such as pain, anxiety, and stress, while also enhancing relaxation and promoting a sense of tranquility. The carefully selected essential oils used in aromatherapy can positively impact patients' emotional state, provide moments of sensory pleasure, and contribute to an overall atmosphere of comfort and support during their end-of-life journey. Our certified aromatherapists use several essential oils for our patients, depending on their physical and emotional needs. Some of the oils our certified aromatherapists use and their effects are:
- Lavender - Relaxing, Calming, Better Sleep
- Peppermint - Calming, Relieves Nausea
- Lemon - Mood Uplifter, Stress Reliever
- Marjoram - Anti-Inflammatory, Relieves Joint Pain
- Clary Sage - Promotes Relaxation, Stress Reliever
- Ginger - Anti-Nausea
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy in hospice involves the skilled manipulation of soft tissues and muscles to provide comfort, relaxation, and pain relief to patients. It is a hands-on approach that focuses on creating a gentle and nurturing physical connection with patients. In hospice care, massage therapy benefits patients by reducing muscle tension, alleviating pain, improving circulation, and promoting a sense of emotional well-being. Through the power of touch, massage therapy can offer patients a reprieve from physical discomfort, enhance their overall quality of life, and create an environment of compassion and care during their end-of-life journey. Not only does the Therapy have both physical and mental benefits, but Massage Therapists can also be advocates for their patients as they work with their patients on an intimate level and they can become the voice to advocate for the patient's needs with physicians and family.
Reiki Therapy
As more and more studies emerge about the positive health benefits and symptom managements associated with Reiki Therapy in Hospice, we have embraced it as an integral part of our Complementary Therapies. Reiki has been scientifically proven to relieve symptoms related to stress and anxiety, pain, nausea, and insomnia. In hospice, Reiki Therapy involves the practice of channeling healing energy through gentle touch or proximity to promote balance and relaxation within the body and mind. It is based on the concept of a life force energy that flows through us. It provides a sense of relaxation and peacefulness, it can promote improved sense of well-being and improve overall quality of life. By fostering a sense of tranquility and promoting a state of harmony, Reiki therapy can enhance patients' overall sense of well-being, helping them find comfort and connection during their end-of-life journey. LDV Hospice offers Reiki Therapy to any of our patients who request it.
Cannabis & CBD Therapy
In the context of hospice care, where patients face challenging physical and emotional symptoms associated with terminal illnesses, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) therapies have emerged as promising options to enhance comfort and improve quality of life. Both compounds are derived from the cannabis plant but offer distinct effects, making them valuable components in palliative care. By harnessing the therapeutic properties of THC and CBD, hospice patients can experience relief from pain, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and other distressing symptoms during their end-of-life journey. At LDV Hospice, we embrace a holistic approach to care that acknowledges the potential benefits of THC and CBD therapies for our patients. We recognize that these alternative treatments can play a valuable role in alleviating and controlling symptoms, enhancing our patients' quality of life during their end-of-life journey. Our team of experienced professionals is well-versed in the potential uses and considerations surrounding THC and CBD, ensuring their safe integration into our holistic therapies. We prioritize open communication and collaboration with patients and their families, ensuring informed choices and personalized care plans that cater to individual preferences. By offering THC and CBD within our holistic framework, we aim to provide comprehensive, compassionate, and effective care that supports our patients' physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
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