Home health agencies provide a variety of health care services in patients' homes, including nursing care, personal care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Therapists in home health agencies care for elderly and disabled patients as well as patients recovering from illness and injury.
Home Health Care
Therapists in home health agencies provide therapy services in patients' homes. Some patients have trouble getting out to a hospital or office for therapy and prefer to receive therapy at home. In addition, therapists can provide very practical assistance in the home, like teaching a patient get in and out of his own bed.
Assessment and Treatment Planning
Therapists assess patients in their homes to determine whether they would benefit from therapy. If a therapist determines that a patient would benefit from therapy, she devises a treatment plan to address the individual problems faced by the patient.
Physical Therapist
Physical therapists assess patients with movement problems, such as patients who have difficulty walking. They prescribe exercises to treat the problem and may also prescribe assistive devices like walkers or crutches.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists treat patients who have difficulty with fine motor tasks and activities of daily living. For instance, they work with patients who have trouble feeding or dressing themselves. Occupational therapists help patients improve their skills in those areas.
Speech Therapist
Speech therapists work with patients who have difficulty speaking, perhaps due to a stroke or other brain injury. They teach patients exercises to improve the quality of their speech.
