Improve Daily Functional Abilities

When you are recovering from an injury or illness, returning to daily activities that were once routine can seem overwhelming or even impossible. That’s where the skilled occupational therapists at Memorial Hermann can make a big difference. If you are unable to safely leave your home, Memorial Hermann Home Health can come to you to guide your road to recovery and help you return to the life you love.

What is Home Health Occupational Therapy (OT)?

Occupational therapy is a focused rehabilitation program to help improve daily function and independence. For homebound patients, home health OT brings these services directly to patients in their home environments to help them regain the ability to perform daily functions after an injury or illness.

Home health services are staffed by experienced, licensed clinicians who are trained to provide in-home care and rehabilitation. Occupational therapists develop rehabilitation plans under the direction of the patient’s physician, and services are usually covered by insurance.

Services We Provide

Memorial Hermann Home Health offers a wide range of OT evaluation and treatment services, including:

  • Personal-care training, including assistance with maintaining hygiene and diet
  • Strength and endurance training for performing day-to-day tasks
  • Therapy to address joint pain, tightness or stiffness in the arms, hands or legs
  • Therapeutic exercise for upper extremities to increase strength, coordination, sensation and proprioception
  • Neurological re-training including muscle re-education, fine motor coordination and body-image training
  • Wheelchair assessment and positioning training
  • Education for safe and effective use of adaptive devices
  • Home-safety evaluations to identify safety risks and develop a plan to reduce or eliminate those risks
  • Education and training for family members

Who Can Benefit from Home Health OT?

Patients who need to regain the daily abilities they had before an injury or illness, but who cannot leave home, can benefit from home health occupational therapy. Physicians may recommend home health OT services for patients with conditions including:

  • Brain dysfunction, including stroke recovery
  • Neurological disorders affecting sensorimotor, perceptual and/or cognitive abilities
  • Orthopedic disorders

Who Qualifies for Home Health OT?

Patients may qualify for home health occupational therapy services after being referred by their physician. However, current Medicare policy does not allow occupational therapy alone to establish eligibility for home health services. Occupational therapy is initially only covered in conjunction with other skilled disciplines such as skilled nursing, physical therapy or speech therapy. Once home health care has been established, occupational therapy can continue as an ancillary service or a continuation of service if other disciplines discontinue. Coverage rules may vary depending on insurance.

What to Expect

The occupational therapists at Memorial Hermann Home Health are highly trained specialists. We have extensive experience in determining which treatment options will be most successful in promoting independent living, based on medically proven methods and techniques. Our goal is to help patients manage daily activities, as safely and efficiently as possible, within the context of the injury or illness.

Your First Visit

The first visit from your therapist will focus on evaluation and planning. Your therapist will conduct a comprehensive exam to assess your health and determine appropriate goals. Next, the therapist will work with you to develop a specialized treatment plan to help you progress from where you are to where you want to be.

As You Make Progress

Most treatment plans include exercise, training, education and rehabilitation services to assist with daily activities, strength training and improving functional ability. During home visits, your therapist will evaluate the progress you are making and adjust the treatment plan, if necessary. As part of a comprehensive approach, your therapist will stay in communication with your physician to ensure you are making progress and working toward your health goals.

Let's Get Started

If you or your loved one needs help coping with a chronic illness or recovering from an injury, home health occupational therapy may be the answer. Complete the form below, or call us at (713) 338-7300, and a Memorial Hermann Home Health team member will contact you within 24 hours.