If you have an illness, injury or condition that makes it difficult to do everyday activities—especially if leaving the home is a challenge—occupational therapy at home may help. Occupational therapists or certified occupational therapy assistants can help you learn to move and function to overcome physical limitations and regain the ability to do things that used to be easy like getting dressed, making a meal or brushing your teeth.
Matt Janes, PT, DPT, MHS, a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist, and certified strength and conditioning specialist with CenterWell Home Health, outlines what to expect from occupational therapy at home.
“The goal is to create a supportive and healing environment for each and every person we serve,” said Janes. “We help patients remain safe in their familiar surroundings of home by teaching them how to manage their conditions, medications and symptoms. Another benefit of receiving care in the home is that it allows family members and caregivers to be more involved.”
What is the difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy?
While both types of therapy can be provided as part of your home health plan of care, there are clear differences.
Occupational therapy focuses on fine motor skills, which are the movements of the small muscles of the body. Occupational therapists help you live and function with your condition on a day-to-day basis so you can restore the skills needed to live independently—like bathing or dressing.
Physical therapy focuses on restoring and improving the ability to move your body. Physical therapists use exercises and activities that enhance strength, balance and mobility.
Both therapies may be part of your home health plan of care, but they target different aspects of your recovery and well-being.
What should I expect from an occupational therapy visit at home?
On your first visit, the occupational therapist will review your health history, medications and home safety. Because of this in-depth evaluation, the first visit may take longer than follow-up visits. The occupational therapist will then develop a personalized home health plan of care with other members of your care team and will set up a schedule for future visits. During your recovery, the occupational therapist will visit you as often as needed to help you improve your condition and meet your health goals.
During each visit, the occupational therapist may help you by:
- Evaluating your home for ways to improve safety and remove fall risks
- Finding different ways to complete tasks if you have vision issues or trouble with hand-eye coordination
- Teaching activities and exercises to help improve or recover skills like bathing, dressing, self-feeding and cooking
- Recommending medication management strategies like pill organizers and medication checklists
- Working with you on cognition, problem solving and safety awareness
- Recommending and assisting with devices like a grabber, dressing stick or shower chair
What is the benefit of occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy is designed to help you make small adjustments to regain the ability to complete daily activities and improve your quality of life. Some of the benefits of occupational therapy in the home are:
- Improve safety and decrease risk of falling at home
- Conserve energy so you use less energy, feel less tired and put less strain on your body
- Recover from illness, injury or hospitalization
- Improve skills that are needed for everyday activities
- Increase independence
How do I know if I can qualify for home health occupational therapy?
Whether you are heading home from a hospital or a skilled nursing facility, or you have experienced a recent decline in your condition, you only need to meet a few guidelines to receive home health services. You must:
- Have an order from a doctor or other healthcare provider
- Have had a face-to-face appointment or visit with a doctor or other provider in the past 90 days about your primary diagnosis for home health
- Receive home health services from a Medicare-certified home health agency
But there's one more important thing to know: for services to be covered by insurance like Medicare, you need to be considered “homebound.”
What does "homebound" mean?
Medicare considers you homebound if:
- It is difficult for you to leave home, and you typically cannot do so.
- You need the help of another person or medical equipment—such as crutches, a walker or a wheelchair—to leave home.
Don't worry—you can still leave home for medical treatment or non-medical events of an infrequent or short duration (like religious services, family events and/or to attend a licensed or accredited adult day care center) without putting your homebound status at risk.
Want to learn more?
If you have healthcare questions for yourself or a loved one, reach out to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We can walk you through care options in your area.