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