In Home Physical Therapy for Seniors: Choosing the Best Option for In Home Physical Therapy
When it comes to care for senior citizens, in home physical therapy for seniors is one of the best options for many individuals and families. As with any long-term care option, you should consider a variety of factors when choosing between in home physical therapy and outpatient care. Choosing the right form of care for you or for a senior family member is essential to maintaining good health, both physically and psychologically. This guide will cover the pros and cons of in-home therapy to help you make a decision that works for you or your loved one.
Convenience
One of the most obvious benefits of in home physical therapy for seniors is convenience. It can be difficult for seniors with physical conditions to travel to and from a therapist’s office to receive care. In-home therapy makes it possible to receive professional care in the comfort of your own home, allowing you to use your energy for healing, not making travel arrangements. In many cases, home-bound senior citizens fail to receive the care they need because of their inability to get to a physical therapist’s office. In home physical therapy treatment centers work with you to set appointments by phone and even bring the necessary paperwork to your home so that you don’t have to travel. In-home care is one of the best ways to make physical therapy accessible to seniors.
Environmental Stresses
Outpatient physical therapy can be stressful, and offices are often noisy and crowded. The last thing you or your loved one needs is stress when trying to recover from a physical injury or other condition. In home physical therapy makes it possible to get professional medical attention from a licensed therapist without leaving the comfort of your home. This is especially important for seniors with anxiety issues or other disorders that make treatment centers more stressful.
Personalized Care
In-home therapists are generally assigned to fewer patients than outpatient therapists, since they spend significant time traveling to patients’ homes. If you want personal attention from a physical therapist with a limited number of clients, in-home care may be the best option for you. In-home therapists are able to focus on each patient for longer, and since they don’t have to deal with the distractions of the traditional workplace, many patients feel that the quality of care they receive is superior. It is fairly easy to find a therapist to come to your home, and most centers will let you set up an initial consultation to get to know your therapist. If the therapist isn’t a good match, you can ask to be reassigned until you find the one who works best for you.
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Faster Progress
Considerable evidence has been gathered showing that the personalized care you receive from in-home therapy actually boosts the progress of healing. Because patients are able to perform exercises in a stress-free environment with one-on-one attention from a licensed professional, physical therapy sessions can be more focused and intensive. By limiting distractions, you can concentrate more of your time on learning the techniques that you will need to perform each day to see progress and healing. This is one of the main reasons that so many physical therapists prefer to take on in-home patients. Although the cost of in-home therapy may be greater, you could actually end up saving money in the long run by paying for sessions that are much more efficient.
Industry Growth
As a new generation approaches senior citizen status, the field of home health is growing steadily. Seniors can look forward to more in-home care options as more and more professionals are beginning to see the benefits of this personalized approach to physical therapy. With workforce growth comes improved technologies that will expand the options seniors have for in-home care. In the future, seniors can expect better equipment that will make it even easier to experience the benefits of outpatient therapy in the comfort of their own homes. As with any medical sector, wider availability of care often reduces costs. As in-home care becomes more popular, it is likely that costs to the individual patient will continue to drop, saving you money.
Additional Costs
The major drawback of physical therapy for seniors at home is that it is generally more expensive than outpatient care. Because physical therapy centers must reimburse their therapists for travel time and fuel costs, the cost of hiring goes up considerably. Outpatient therapists can divide their time between more patients and generally make an hourly wage, while most in-home therapists are paid depending on their number of patients and the specific tasks they perform. This cost naturally transfers to the patient, meaning that you will likely pay a considerably higher rate to be seen in your home than you would at a treatment facility. Nonetheless, many patients find that the benefits of in-home therapy are well worth the additional cost.
Insurance Obstacles
Insurance companies are often reluctant to embrace new forms of treatment. Home care is becoming more popular, so more insurance companies are beginning to see it as a viable form of treatment. However, since hiring an in-home therapist is generally more expensive than outpatient care, your insurance company may initially refuse to cover your care. It is important to work with your doctor and your desired physical therapy center to make a case for why in-home treatment is necessary for your situation. As long as you can prove that in-home care is a cost-effective option, you should be covered. Most insurance companies will agree to coverage if the patient is unable to travel to an outpatient facility or if doing so would impose considerable hardship.
Related Article: 8 Ways to Maximize Coverage for Physical Therapy Insurance
Limited Equipment
Many of the larger machines and tools used for physical therapy are not available to in-home patients. Large equipment is too difficult and costly to transport, so in-home therapists are often forced to be creative with the equipment they use. If you require intensive therapy with special equipment, such as water aerobics, outpatient care may be a better option. However, many therapists are willing to work with patients to build therapy areas in the home. It is possible to achieve the same benefits from physical therapy at home that you would receive in an outpatient center, but it is often more difficult. Fortunately, most in-home therapists wield an arsenal of travel-friendly equipment to help their patients.
An Overview of Pros and Cons
Physical therapy is an essential part of managing your health and achieving overall wellbeing. Although you should be prepared for several obstacles when considering in home physical therapy, you can also receive many benefits. If you or a loved one is homebound, the benefits of in-home therapy are likely to far outweigh the drawbacks. Work with your insurance provider and your prospective therapy center to discuss further options and develop a care plan that works for your needs and your budget so that you can start living well again. With the right information, in-home care can be a great way to start your journey to physical health and full mobility.
