Independent Living Team

A common problem among hospice and palliative patients in the community is disability.

This can lead to depression, poor quality of life, increased caregiver needs, increased health care resources, and sometimes hospitalisation.

Our Independent Living Team aims to help people remain as active and independent as possible. We support to improve the patient’s quality of life by increasing what they can do for themselves and helping them to alleviate some of the symptoms such as pain and anxiety associated with reduced mobility and independence. A range of professionals provide this support.

We offer advice around everyday activities, exercise, positioning, equipment and environment. We also offer non-pharmacological input for symptoms such as breathlessness, pain and fatigue.

We can support you: 

• When there is a need for an assessment for a specialised piece of equipment that cannot be ordered through the NHS community teams
• When (with disease progression) a person referred to us experiences the loss or partial loss of their independence, and it is felt that there are coping mechanisms that can be used to improve their quality of life.

We offer short term therapy and work in conjunction with the NHS Community Occupational therapists, Physiotherapists and Rehab assistants to provide advice and support.