Using Physical Therapy in Home Care

Physical therapy (PT) is an essential part of health care. Sometimes, these therapies can move into the home to help people resume their daily activities and improve overall health. Therapists and even loved ones work with patients on mobility and lifestyle changes from the comfort of the patient’s home to avoid unnecessary trips to a facility. 

What Is Home-Care Physical Therapy?

Homecare physical therapy happens when a physical therapist comes to your home to provide rehab services. This is often reserved for patients who are unable to leave the house to attend physical therapy. Receiving physical therapy at home is more convenient for some patients, mainly when they can’t drive due to their injuries.  

When to Consider Physical Therapy at Home

Lots of people can benefit from at-home physical therapy. Therapy sessions help patients learn how to adapt to new lifestyle changes that can help them recover from their injuries, promote weight loss, lower blood pressure, and improve their mental health. 

A doctor will likely recommend physical therapy for people who are dealing with:

• Post-surgical conditions like a total knee replacement

• Stroke recovery

• Parkinson’s disease symptom management

• Multiple sclerosis

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

• After a cardiac event like a heart attack

• After trauma such as fracture 

Plus, physical therapy is often covered by insurance. The amount, frequency, and period of the services need to be reasonable for coverage to apply. However, when the physical therapy comes from a doctor’s orders, most likely, your insurance will cover some or all of the cost of treatment. 

Is Physical Therapy At Home Effective?

One study found that patients who received at-home physical therapy after a total knee replacement had the same improvement of function and range of motion as those who received physical therapy at a facility. 

In most cases, people receiving PT at home will improve their recovery, condition, range of motion, and functional mobility and may improve the recovery period. Besides, physical therapy at home improves people’s confidence in themselves, so they can continue living a highly active lifestyle while minimizing the risks for slip and fall accidents that could lead to an emergency room visit. 

Without a doubt, physical therapy at-home care can be a pivotal component of patients’ recovery and improvement. As always, it’s best to discuss with a primary healthcare provider before making a final decision on post-surgical care or ongoing condition management. 

—

In partnership with physical, occupational and speech therapy services provider Burger Rehab.