How to select a home care occupational therapist?
It is not at all uncommon for patients to be treated by a home care occupational therapist following surgery or following some other medical event, such as a stroke or injury. What kinds of questions should you ask prior to hiring a home care agency to provide occupational therapy to you or a loved one?
The following list reviews common concerns, according to physical, speech and occupational home care therapists with Visiting Nurse Association and Blue Water Hospice, located in Port Huron, Michigan. VNA/BWH services patients in St. Clair County, including Algonac, Fort Gratiot, Marysville and St. Clair; Sanilac County, including Port Sanilac and Sandusky; and Macomb County, including Richmond, New Baltimore, Shelby Township, Chesterfield Township, Ray Township, New Haven and Fair Haven.
What does an occupational therapist do?
A home care occupational therapist will visit your home and surroundings and do an environmental assessment to see what challenges might be presented to the patient that may inhibit grooming, use of shower or toilet, dressing or other similar daily functions. The therapist will work with the patient to set and achieve task-specific goals.
Does the therapist specialize in the condition you need treated?
Like family physicians, many occupational therapists treat a wide range of maladies in any one day. But you should always make sure that the in home occupational therapist who has been assigned to your case has experience providing treatment to patients with your particular needs. Occupational therapists who provide home care will assess your living environment and make sure your treatment plan addresses your environmental needs. The home care occupational therapist may also make recommendations for change in order to provide a safer, healthier environment.
Will I see the same home care occupational therapist every session or will different therapists treat me each time?
This is an extremely important question. Patients who are treated by the same occupational therapists see results faster than those who are treated by a different therapist each visit. When you receive consistent care from the same provider, greater progress is made because the in home therapist learns, over time, what improvements you have made and what areas need more attention.
How long will each of our occupational therapy sessions last?
When you receive care from an occupational therapist in your home, you want to make sure an adequate amount of time is spent working on your occupational therapy issues to ensure the quickest recovery possible. If you believe your occupational therapist is rushing through your session in order to attend to other patients elsewhere, make sure you speak up or contact the agency.
Will I be treated by an occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant or a therapy aide?
If your insurance is paying for an actual occupational therapist to provide home care, the provider who arrives at your door should be an actual occupational therapist and not an assistant or therapy aide. While assistants and aides can provide good care, the actual occupational therapist should be working closely with you to achieve the occupational therapy goals set by your physician.
What kind of education, licensing and certification does my occupational therapist have?
When hiring an agency to provide occupational therapy home care, do not hesitate to ask about the credentials of the therapist who will be working with you or your loved one. You want to work with a licensed occupational therapist. Many also receive certifications in specialty areas, as well.
Visiting Nurse Association and Blue Water Hospice
Visiting Nurse Association and Blue Water Hospice is a non-profit provider of in-home hospice care, home health care and private duty services in St. Clair, Sanilac and Macomb Counties of Michigan, including the cities of Algonac, Marysville, Port Huron, St. Clair, Port Sanilac, Richmond, New Baltimore, Shelby Township, Chesterfield Township, Ray Township, New Haven and Fair Haven.
Additionally, the organization also operates the Blue Water Hospice Home in Marysville, Michigan, which allows patients to receive hospice care in a home-like setting.
by greatlakeswoman
Established in 1952, VNA/BWH consistently receives exceptional ratings for patient satisfaction and quality of care from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. For more information, please visit our website at www.vnabwh.com or contact us at (810) 984-4131.