What Does it Take to Qualify for Homecare Physical Therapy as a Patient?
A commonly asked question among those seeking home care Physical Therapy is, “what does it take to qualify as a patient in the USA?” With our complex medical system, it’s easy to see why the process is confusing, and many people are left wondering if they can receive the care they need. For those seeking home care Physical Therapy, here are the guidelines you must to qualify for assistance.
The Patient Must Be Homebound
To receive Homecare Physical Therapy instead of Outpatient Therapy, the patient must be homebound, indicating there is a safety or medical risk for them to leave their home. Their condition may be acute or severe, making it a health risk for the patient to leave their home. Conditions include:
– being unable to walk
– needing assistance breathing
– or a variety of other reasons…
… once medical professionals determine the patient cannot travel to an outpatient facility, they are classified as ‘homebound’.
The Patient Has Limited Functionality
If the patient is unable to travel to an Outpatient Physical Therapy Clinic for treatment, home care is the only available option. Any ailment limiting the patient’s functionality to travel would create the need for Homecare Physical Therapy. A few examples are if a patient has difficulty walking and it is extremely taxing for them to leave their home or if they cannot drive or find other means of transportation to attend PT. Another example is patients with spinal cord injuries with low levels of conditioning that cannot drive.
The Patient is Under the Care of a Physician
In order to be a candidate for Homecare Physical Therapy, the patient must be under the care of a physician who establishes a care plan and periodically reviews their progress. This process is essential to ensure the patient progresses with their treatment and allows the physical therapist to customize their care and work hand in hand with the physician. The physical therapist and physician working in conjunction with each other sets the patient in the best position to reach their health goals.
The Patient Must Require Homecare Physical Therapy Services
For the patient to receive Homecare Physical Therapy, they must require the services that are reasonable and necessary for the treatment of their injury or illness. In other words, the patient must need the help of a Physical Therapist to treat their condition. If healing can occur without the assistance of a Physical Therapist, the patient would not qualify to receive their services.
What is the Goal of Homecare Physical Therapy?
Homecare Physical Therapy aims to provide the patient with the care they need to become well enough to attend outpatient physical therapy at a local clinic. Although not always the end result, this is generally the goal for both the patient and practitioner; the patient’s well-being and their independence to that end.
What Type of Patients Need Homecare Physical Therapy?
Patients who need Homecare Physical Therapy are generally deconditioned, weaker, very ill, etc. They primarily need assistance working on exercises involving gait training (learning how to walk), assistive device training (learning how to use a wheelchair, cane, walker), sit to stand and seated exercises, and more. The therapist focuses on strengthening the patient in a functional manner using whatever the individual has in their home.
It is common for most Homecare Physical
Therapy patients to be older since the population can have difficulty leaving their homes. However, younger patients can also qualify for home care if it is medically necessary.
If you’re interested in becoming a Homecare Physical Therapist, it is a rewarding and exciting career where you can help people live happier, more fulfilled lives. No two days are ever the same, making it ideal for those who enjoy new experiences. One of the most challenging parts of obtaining your Physical Therapy license is getting the necessary Physical Therapy Observation Hours. Every PT program requires between twenty to one hundred shadow hours to qualify for your license, making them a vital part of your schooling experience.
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