Physical Therapy at Home: What to Expect from Home Healthcare PT

If you require physical therapy but find it difficult to go to an outpatient clinic, home healthcare physical therapy may be the perfect solution. Physical therapists who work for home healthcare agencies can come to your home to provide individualized therapy, helping you regain mobility, strength and function.

A home physical therapist will first perform an evaluation to determine your specific needs and goals. They will assess your range of motion, strength, balance and coordination to identify problem areas and priorities for treatment.

Your physical therapist will then create a customized treatment plan just for you. They will choose exercises and activities tailored to your abilities, needs and interests. Therapy may include stretching, strengthening, balance training, gait training and functional training using everyday tasks and movements.

A home physical therapist can provide hands-on care and manual therapy techniques that may be difficult to perform independently at home. They can guide you through exercises with proper form and technique to maximize results. They can also modify exercises as needed based on your progress and any changes in your condition.

Your physical therapist will educate you and your caregivers on how to continue exercises and proper movement techniques between therapy sessions. This allows you to get the most benefit from therapy even when the physical therapist is not there.

Physical therapists who work for home healthcare agencies are experienced in treating a variety of conditions in the home setting. This may include regaining mobility after a joint replacement, rehabilitation after a stroke, managing Parkinson's disease, or improving balance to prevent falls.

The goal of home physical therapy is to help you regain as much independence, mobility and quality of life as possible. Your physical therapist will work closely with you and your entire care team to develop a plan that meets your unique needs and lifestyle.

So if getting to an outpatient clinic is a challenge for you, ask your doctor about a referral for home physical therapy. With the right plan in place and a dedicated home healthcare physical therapist on your team, you'll be on your way to recovering mobility and function in the comfort of your own home.