In-Home Occupational Therapy
What Is In-Home Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy provided in the patient’s residence rather than at a physician’s office or medical facility is called in-home occupational therapy. Occupational therapists are concerned with helping individuals develop or resume their ability to undertake household or everyday tasks, called occupations, that may have been compromised by a medical illness, bodily injury, or psychological condition. Occupational therapy is often used to assist children with disabilities, persons recovering from accidents or debilitating diseases, and elderly persons confronting chronic medical issues or cognitive decline.
The in-home provision of occupational therapy offers patients several advantages over similar treatments in off-site locations. Surmounting challenges that prevent you from caring for yourself is easier at home, in a comfortable, well-known environment. Undergoing therapy where you live also keeps your family more involved, better enabling them to encourage and assist you.
Most of us take for granted the ability to handle dozens of simple activities, such as getting in and out of bed, changing clothes, preparing meals, using the bathroom, and socializing with others. Losing this ability can make daily living difficult and frustrating. If you’re experiencing a reduction in self-care, the rehabilitation professionals at Baptist Health might be able to help.
How Does In-Home Occupational Therapy Work?
In-home care delivery means that medical services come to you, rather than you going to a medical facility to receive treatment. Your rehabilitative therapy will be conducted by a licensed occupational therapist (OT) or a licensed occupational therapy assistant (OTA).
What Does an Occupational Therapist Do?
Occupational therapists are medically trained individuals who specialize in helping patients reengage with the tasks of daily living. Your therapist will evaluate your condition during his or her first visit. This evaluation will form the basis for a customized treatment plan that addresses your medical needs during future visits.
What Occupational Therapy Services Are Offered in the Home?
Home-based treatment plans typically involve:
- Activities to improve memory, planning, and self-management
- Adaptations and skills to cope with vision or hearing loss
- Education and retraining in daily-living skills
- Home environment design adaptation for safety and function
- Splints and adaptive equipment to help in your daily activities.
How Can In-Home Occupational Therapy Help?
Occupational therapy delivered in the home is effective for the following reasons:
- Personalized, one-on-one care: The occupational therapist is focused on a single person: you.
- Friendly environment: Relearning how to care for yourself is easier in an environment that you already know by heart.
- Focus on basics: Of necessity, in-home therapy focuses on the basics rather than on tests and equipment. A personalized treatment plan may be more important to healing than depending on technology.
- You’re already home: If you’re dealing with or recovering from a medical condition, why go to a hospital or physician’s office to receive care? Staying at home means greater comfort for you.
- Less stress: Few people enjoy waiting rooms. At-home care is less stressful.
- Comparable results: At-home occupational therapy can generate results on par with other types of outpatient programs.
In-home occupational therapy is an important first step to regaining the independence that comes with performing simple tasks on your own.
How Do I Start In-Home Occupational Therapy?
Contact us for more information, and to see if you're eligible to receive therapy and rehabilitation services at home. Baptist Health Home Care services require a physician referral.
In-home occupational therapy services are available in the following locations: