Coming home after a hospital stay, a joint replacement or a fall is a relief, but it can also be hard. Getting out of bed, walking to the bathroom or climbing a few steps can suddenly feel unsafe. In-home physical therapy brings a licensed physical therapist to you, so you can rebuild strength and confidence where you actually live.
Here is what to expect, and how to get started.
Who In-Home Physical Therapy Can Help
Home health physical therapy is often recommended for people who:
- Are recovering from a hospital stay and feel weaker than before
- Had a hip or knee replacement or other surgery
- Are recovering from a stroke or another neurological condition
- Have had a fall, or are worried about falling
- Have trouble walking, standing up from a chair, or using stairs
- Find it very difficult to leave home for outpatient therapy appointments
What Happens at the First Visit
Your first visit is an evaluation. The physical therapist will:
- Review your health history and your doctor’s orders
- Check your strength, balance, range of motion and walking
- Watch how you move around your home: getting in and out of bed, using the bathroom, and handling steps
- Talk with you and your family about your goals, such as walking to the mailbox, cooking safely, or getting back to church
Together, you’ll set a plan of care that is shared with your doctor.
What Therapy Sessions Look Like
Sessions take place in your own home and focus on the things you need to do every day. Depending on your plan, your therapist may work with you on:
- Strength and balance exercises to make walking steadier
- Safe transfers, such as getting in and out of bed, a chair, the shower or a car
- Walking practice, including how to use a walker or cane correctly
- Stairs and steps in and around your home
- Home safety, like spotting trip hazards and suggesting grab bars or better lighting
- A home exercise program you can keep doing between visits and after therapy ends
Visits are usually scheduled a few times a week for several weeks, but every plan is different and depends on your needs and your doctor’s orders.
Why Therapy at Home Works Well
Practicing in your own home means you train on your stairs, your bathroom and your furniture, not equipment in a clinic. You also skip the stress of arranging rides, and family members can join sessions to learn how to help safely.
Is It Covered by Insurance?
Medicare and many insurance plans cover home health physical therapy when a doctor orders it and the patient meets the plan’s requirements. For Medicare, for example, this generally includes being under a doctor’s care and being homebound, which means leaving home takes a considerable effort.
Coverage rules vary by plan. Our team can help you check your benefits before care begins.
How to Get Started
- Step 1: Talk to your doctor or hospital discharge planner. Ask for a referral to home health physical therapy with Arma Home Health. Providers can also send us a referral online.
- Step 2: Or call us directly at 747-264-1450. We’ll coordinate with your doctor to get the orders in place.
- Step 3: We schedule your first visit, usually soon after we receive the referral.
Arma Home Health provides skilled home health care, including physical therapy, skilled nursing, speech therapy and home health aide services, to families in Porter Ranch, Northridge, Granada Hills, Chatsworth and across the San Fernando Valley.
Have Questions About In-Home Physical Therapy?
Contact us or call 747-264-1450. We’re happy to help.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Please talk with your doctor about your specific needs.