Occupational therapy (OT) is considered an eligible service for Medicare beneficiaries receiving hospice care. Bristol Hospice in Portland, Oregon, has a contract occupational therapist available to provide these services. Unfortunately, the therapist infrequently received referrals. Evidence shows that occupational therapy benefits individuals at the end of their lives. These individuals strongly desire to maintain occupational participation and engagement in roles, habits, and routines. Under the hospice model, nurse case managers are often the gatekeepers for referrals to therapy services. Recent evidence has shown that there is a knowledge gap in the role of OT in hospice care. This program provided education to the interdisciplinary hospice care team to inform and educate on the role of occupational therapy in addressing the cognitive, physical, and psychosocial needs of individuals and families in hospice care and shift the understanding to one that enhances the quality of life and maintains occupational participation.
