Receiving Physical Therapy Services In The Home

Physical therapy treatment following illness, injury, or surgery not only helps you maintain physical function, but also may contribute to better emotional and cognitive health. But in some cases, leaving your home to commute to a hospital or outpatient clinic isn't easy or even possible. That's when home health services that provide physical therapy where the therapist comes to you can help. If you qualify for home care services, the benefits of receiving physical therapy in your home setting are numerous.

Who receives in-home physical therapy services?

You may be a candidate to receive in-home physical therapy services if you:

• Are homebound due to an injury or chronic illness

• Have a mobility problem, particularly if you require the use of an assistive mobility device such as a wheelchair or walker

• Need special transportation or the assistance of another person to leave your home to go to medical appointments

• Have a cognitive disorder that causes you to become easily disoriented

• Experience symptoms, such as pain, trouble breathing, or feelings of panic, that worsen when you leave your home

What are the benefits of receiving in-home physical therapy?

Besides helping to improve your mobility and independence, in-home physical therapy offers a number of additional benefits including:

• Allowing a physical therapist to work with you in your home rather than in a clinical setting

• Giving the physical therapist the chance to evaluate you in your home environment so that he or she can better determine your individual needs to improve your mobility and increase your safety

• Offering you privacy and convenience

• Allowing the physical therapist to provide one-on-one treatment and give you personal attention and care without being interrupted by treating more than one patient at the same time

• Giving the physical therapist the opportunity to develop a positive rapport and rewarding relationship with you and your family caregivers

• Making it easier for you to comply with your treatment program by reducing the chances that you will miss scheduled appointments

• Reducing the overall cost of medical treatment when recovery is hampered by pain and restricted movement

• Preventing you or a loved one who suffers from dementia or other cognitive disorder from becoming confused when away from home

What factors should you consider when deciding whether in-home physical therapy is the right choice for you?

In-home physical therapy isn't necessarily for everyone, as there are several factors to consider that can influence your decision.

To learn more, contact a company like Advance Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation

1. Comfort. Ask yourself if you will feel at ease with a stranger coming to your home. Finding the right fit is important to having a positive experience.

2. Space. To get the most out of your physical therapy sessions, your home needs to offer adequate space for exercise and for the physical therapist to set up any exercise equipment or portable treatment table that he or she may use.

3. Insurance reimbursement. Find out if your health insurance plan covers in-home physical therapy services. If it does, you may have coverage only in certain situations. For example, in order for Medicare to pay for home physical therapy, your doctor must certify that you are homebound; your health care provider expects your condition to improve within a reasonable period of time; or you require physical therapy to maintain your current physical condition or prevent or slow your condition from deteriorating more.

​