The Value of Recreation Therapy in End-of-Life Care: Case Studies From an Inpatient VA Hospice Program.

Providing maximum comfort and pain control can be challenging for hospice teams when treating the end-of-life patient. With the medical complexities end stage disease presents, it can be additionally pertinent to treat the patient holistically. Who are they outside of their medical condition? What is important for them to address? Is there a nonpharmacological approach that can be of benefit? With the availability of a Recreation Therapist (RT), inpatient and home hospice teams can increase comprehensive treatment to target cognitive, social, emotional, and physical domains of patient care.

Effects of diabetes and cadaveric organs on functional performance and health-related quality of life after kidney transplantation.

Background: The current study was undertaken to identify factors specific to kidney transplantation that are associated with posttransplant functional performance (FP) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Methods: Karnofsky FP status was assessed longitudinally in 86 adult kidney transplant recipients. Patients reported HRQOL using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) health survey and the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS).