Palliative Care: Improving Quality of Life for Patients and Families
But why is quality of life such an important part of palliative care, and how can therapeutic activities help patients experience greater comfort, happiness, and emotional well-being?
Therapeutic Activities for Improving Quality of Life in Palliative Care
Palliative care is a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on managing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual discomfort.
Its primary goal is to improve the quality of life of patients and their families while respecting each patient's individual needs, preferences, and personal goals.
Rather than focusing only on treating an illness, palliative care aims to help patients live their lives as meaningfully and comfortably as possible.
Many people mistakenly believe that palliative care begins only when patients have "given up" or stopped receiving their primary medical treatment.
In reality, palliative care can be provided alongside other medical treatments from the time a serious illness is diagnosed.
Evidence suggests that introducing palliative care early can help improve patients' quality of life.
Therapeutic activities play an important role in this approach by creating meaningful experiences for patients while allowing families and caregivers to spend valuable time together.
At KOON Hospital, therapeutic activities are designed to provide patients and their loved ones with a warm, comfortable environment that feels like home—or even more special than home.
The hospital offers a variety of activities that encourage relaxation, emotional connection, and meaningful participation in everyday life.
1. House of Plant: Connecting with Nature Through Gardening
House of Plant is a green space at KOON Hospital where patients can participate in gardening activities.
Patients can plant seeds, care for plants, and observe their growth over time.
These activities allow patients to experience the beauty of nature and develop a sense of connection with living things.
Patients may also water their plants regularly or transfer them into small pots to keep in their rooms.
The original article features Dr. Nittha Oer-areemitr, Medical Director of KOON Hospital, together with Mae Taew Achara and Khun Nin Narintarakul Na Ayudhaya, participating in a tree-planting activity in the hospital's House of Plant area.
2. The Aroma Lab: Aromatherapy for Relaxation and Emotional Well-Being
The Aroma Lab is a dedicated activity room where patients can explore aromatherapy through different fragrances.
KOON Hospital uses therapeutic-grade essential oils, with different scents selected according to their intended properties.
For patients experiencing discomfort, such as difficulty sleeping or anxiety, fragrance-blending activities are designed to promote relaxation and a sense of comfort.
Patients can also create personalized fragrances based on their favorite scents.
These may be prepared as:
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Essential oil diffusers for their rooms.
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Room sprays.
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Pillow sprays.
The hospital also provides DIY fragrance-making kits that patients can use to create gifts for friends and loved ones.
Beyond relaxation, these activities allow patients to experience the happiness and fulfillment that can come from giving something meaningful to others.
3. Movie Room: Reconnecting with Happy Memories
KOON Hospital's Movie Room is designed to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere similar to a family living room.
It offers patients and their loved ones an opportunity to watch movies or television series together in a comfortable setting outside their usual hospital rooms.
The room is intended to help patients revisit cherished memories and share meaningful experiences with family members.
One distinctive feature is its on-demand movie service.
If patients or caregivers wish to watch a film that is unavailable on Netflix or YouTube Premium, they can inform the hospital team.
The team will help search for the requested movie, allowing patients and families to revisit special moments and reconnect with happy memories.
4. Meditation Space: Finding Peace Through Sound and Meditation
The Meditation Space at KOON Hospital is designed to provide a peaceful and relaxing environment.
The room features a white interior that creates a sense of calmness, lightness, and tranquility.
Comfortable seating cushions are provided, allowing visitors to sit in different positions according to their preferences and physical comfort.
A special feature of the room is the Sound Dome, a specially designed speaker installed above the seating area.
The Sound Dome directs sound toward the person sitting beneath it, creating an individual listening experience without disturbing others nearby.
This allows patients and visitors to experience calming sounds intended to support meditation and relaxation.
How Therapeutic Activities Support Palliative Care
The therapeutic activities described above are designed to complement medical treatment and improve patients' overall quality of life.
KOON Hospital specializes in palliative care, emphasizing comprehensive support for patients and their families across four important dimensions:
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Physical well-being.
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Psychological and emotional well-being.
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Social relationships and connection.
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Spiritual well-being.
The hospital focuses particularly on patients living with serious, advanced, or incurable illnesses that significantly affect their quality of life.
These include patients with:
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Advanced or terminal-stage cancer.
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Alzheimer's disease.
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Dementia.
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Parkinson's disease.
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Chronic heart disease.
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Lung disease.
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End-stage kidney disease.
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Neuromuscular disorders.
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Advanced liver cirrhosis.
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Conditions requiring long-term bed care.
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Frequent hospitalizations or repeated intensive care unit (ICU) admissions.
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Recovery needs following surgery.
Through a wide range of therapeutic activities, KOON aims to help patients maintain meaningful experiences and spend valuable time with the people they love.
The hospital also recognizes the emotional challenges faced by family members and caregivers.
By encouraging participation in relaxing and enjoyable activities, KOON seeks to help caregivers reduce stress and anxiety while supporting their loved ones.
Personalized Therapeutic Activities at KOON Hospital
KOON Hospital develops and introduces different therapeutic activities throughout the year, with activities rotated and adapted each month.
The goal is to provide patients with opportunities to experience greater comfort, happiness, and fulfillment according to their individual circumstances.
These programs are designed not only to benefit patients but also to support family members and caregivers.
By creating opportunities for meaningful interaction, relaxation, and shared experiences, the hospital aims to help patients and their loved ones make the most of their time together.
International Standards and Quality of Care at KOON Hospital
KOON Hospital provides specialized palliative care services designed to address patients' physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
According to the original article, the hospital has received recognition through AACI International Healthcare Accreditation and ISO 9001:2015 Management System Certification.
The hospital describes these standards as part of its commitment to providing comprehensive, internationally recognized palliative care services in Thailand and Asia.
KOON's approach emphasizes individualized care that reflects each patient's personal values, goals, and wishes.
Through a combination of medical care, emotional support, therapeutic activities, and a compassionate environment, the hospital aims to improve the quality of life of patients and families while helping them create meaningful moments together.
Reference :
KOON Palliative Care Specialised Hospital
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