| There are many different settings where | | | | dangerous obstacles on your way to an |
| physical therapist practice their craft. | | | | outpatient clinic. |
| These settings may include schools, | | | | |
| hospitals, private outpatient clinics, | | | | Is in-home physical therapy right for you? |
| nursing homes, and in private homes. Home | | | | |
| care physical therapy is typically thought of | | | | There are a few questions you must ask |
| for patients that are homebound, thus unable | | | | yourself before considering in home physical |
| to commute to an outpatient clinic. There | | | | therapy. The first is, how do you feel about |
| has been a new trend in physical therapy in | | | | initially having a stranger in your home. |
| which the clinic is brought to the patient. | | | | After the first few minutes with a therapist, |
| A few different models are currently being | | | | you are divulging personal information |
| used. Some therapists have a mobile clinic | | | | regarding your medical history. The |
| in the form of an RV. These RV's are | | | | therapist will be a stranger for only the |
| equipted with treatment tables, exercise | | | | first few minutes. Secondly, are you capable |
| equipment & all the typical modalities you | | | | of concentrating without distractions in your |
| would find in an outpatient clinic. A second | | | | home. |
| model that is less expensive would be a | | | | |
| therapist coming to the home with a portable | | | | Minimal space is required for the therapist. |
| treatment table, and other hand held modality | | | | They need to set up a table and may require |
| equipment. | | | | an outlet for modalities. Therapists are |
| | | | typically creative with space and can take |
| Benefits to treating patients in their home | | | | advange of a small area to achieve the |
| include: | | | | required room for exercise. Most equipment |
| | | | required for therapy is light and portable. |
| - Improved compliance by not missing | | | | |
| treatment sessions | | | | In my experience, patients love the |
| | | | convenience of in home therapy because it is |
| - Therapists can evaluate a patient in their | | | | one less trip they need to take. Typically, |
| REAL natural environment. | | | | patients can have therapy sessions very early |
| | | | in the morning before going to work, or late |
| - Patient's don't have to travel to a clinic | | | | in the evening following work. The whole |
| thus making it more time efficient | | | | concept is to promote convenience and patient |
| | | | compliance. |
| - Privacy for the patient and their family | | | | |
| | | | Insurance coverage is dependent on the |
| - Eliminate disruptions from other clients, | | | | therapist. Some therapists participate in |
| phone calls etc. | | | | network with medicare and other comercial |
| | | | plans while others are out of network. It is |
| - Typical in home sessions are one hour, one | | | | important to communicate with the therapist |
| on one with a therapist. | | | | prior to the first visit to find out how your |
| | | | treatment sessions will be covered. |
| This allows for effective treatment sessions | | | | |
| and reduces the possibility of injury. | | | | In-home physical therapy is not right for |
| | | | everyone. If you enjoy staying close to |
| - Following surgery, having a therapist come | | | | home, have a tight time schedule to keep, and |
| to the home may eliminate complications of | | | | enjoy exercising out of your home, then you |
| driving a car or having to negotiate | | | | should consider in home physical therapy. |