Many times, home care is used when someone is returning home after a hospital or nursing home stay. So, what services come with home care and why is it important to receive them? When you receive home care services, it allows a greater amount of independence with daily life, provides an additional sense of safety and is even one of the most inexpensive forms of healthcare when comparing it to hospital stays or independent & assisted living communities.

One of the most important disciplines in home care is therapy. Whether receiving physical, occupational or speech therapy; each is designed to help someone regain strength, mobility and safety in their home.

 

Physical Therapy in the Home

The main goal of physical therapy is to improve functional mobility, strength and endurance and has been a proven treatment method that helps heal from injuries, disabilities and health conditions. Receiving physical therapy in the home setting is different than visiting a clinic or gym. In home care, physical therapists can help with:

• Recovering From Injuries & Surgeries: Physical therapists create personalized treatment plans for each patient. Whether they’re recovering from a surgery or a recent injury that inhibits them from doing daily activities, everyone is different and physical therapists recognize that by utilizing different activities and exercises.
• Managing Chronic Conditions: Chronic conditions like arthritis or Parkinson’s disease can bring on issues like joint stiffness, muscle weakness and balance problems. Physical therapy can help improve joint mobility and reduce inflammation in affected areas.
• Preventing Falls & Injuries: In the home setting, physical therapists can assess commonly used areas of the home that may be unsafe. In addition to making sure your home is equipped with the proper safety precautions, physical therapists develop customized exercise programs that help improve balance, coordination and strength. All helping reduce the risk for falls!

 

Occupational Therapy in the Home

Some people think of all therapy is the same, but it’s not. While physical therapy focuses on the improvement of mobility, strength and endurance; occupational therapy works on enhancing the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). In the home setting, occupational therapists can help with:

• Adapting to New Changes: Cognitive and physical changes that come on from the ageing process or from illness or injury can limit what you were once able to accomplish. Occupational therapists can help individuals adapt to these changes by creating strategies and practicing exercises that teach new skills and help regain independence.
• Modifying the Home: Most people don’t really think about the setup of their home. The couch and coffee table, rugs and coat racks all have their respective spots and usually don’t move. Occupational therapists can recommend a variety of home modifications and rearrangements that make the home environment more supportive to your needs.
• Developing a Plan for Tasks & Activities: In addition to practicing exercises and safely modifying the home, occupational therapists provide guidance and techniques that can help someone accomplish daily tasks like dressing, grooming, and meal preparation. One of the main goals of occupational therapy is to promote independence!

 

Speech Therapy in the Home

Many times, speech therapy is utilized after an injury or illness because someone is unable to communicate as they once did. Speech therapy assesses, diagnoses and treats speech disorders that inhibit communication or disorders that cause difficulty swallowing, poor memory, or understanding standard cues. In addition to assessing, diagnosing and treating these effects of speech problems, speech therapists can:

• Promote Cognitive and Memory Skills: One large benefit of speech therapy through home care is that patients have the ability to participate using some of their own everyday items. Having familiar items incorporated into someone’s care plan and exercise activities can help them reminisce and enjoy therapy at the same time.
• Guide Patients Through the Use of Adaptive Devices: There are a wide variety of adaptive devices that allow people with speech problems to accomplish their everyday tasks without issues. Items like picture-to-speech boards, adaptive silverware, assistive listening devices and even iPads are tools that can help individuals with speech problems improve cognition, communication, eating and swallowing.
• Improving Speech Difficulties & Delays: Whether the need for speech therapy stems from an illness, disease, accident, or was brought on during early childhood development; one of the main goals of speech therapy is addressing issues with communication. Through voice and articulation exercises, a speech therapist will create an individualized care plan that addresses your needs and goals.

Knowing all the benefits that therapy services can provide through home care is the first step in being able to regain certain areas of independence. At Home Health Care, Inc. our therapists are licensed, bonded and insured & are provided additional training to stay on top of the ever-evolving healthcare field. By creating a customized care plan with one of our therapists, we are able to assist with addressing and resolving some of the common problems you may be experiencing. If you have questions about therapy services through Home Health Care, inc. call us today at (763) 417-8888.