Five benefits of occupational therapy at home

Occupational therapy is a medical treatment to develop, improve, or maintain skills of daily living that most people take for granted.  After suffering an illness or injury, even simple skills like coordination and balance can quickly decline. Yet those who have never needed OT often do not know much about it.

Ryan Shifley, executive director of strategy for VNA of Ohio and an occupational therapist, says occupational therapy is indeed often misunderstood.
“A lot of people think we help people find jobs,” he joked. 

“Actually, OTs help people with the job of living,” he explained.  “We help people become safer and more independent with everything they do throughout the day – from brushing one’s teeth to going to the grocery store – all the things that occupy our everyday time and energy.” 

In fact, he says that inability to perform selfcare is a high metric of one’s likelihood of having an accident and going to hospital. 
“If someone can’t take care of themselves, they are very likely to end up in the hospital,” he said.

OT can be provided in a clinic or at home, depending on the patient.  Shifley says homecare OT is ideal because the therapist can see firsthand how a patient functions in their home and tailor a plan of care.

“Anytime we can be in the patient’s actual environment, we are going to be more successful and accurate with our treatment because we can see the big picture and address real life barriers and opportunities,” he said.

Shifley shared some of the other benefits of having occupational therapy at home.

1. Patients are most comfortable in their own homes. Providing homecare helps the OT develop personalized treatments that the patient is most likely to do and benefit from.  Being in one’s home also builds trust and comfort and reduces the stress of making it to an appointment on time.
2. Exercises are not simulated. Practicing safe strategies for getting dressed, grooming, cooking or doing laundry in one’s own home is preferable to simulating it in a clinic. Bathroom safety often is a priority for many patients.  OTs may make recommendations for adaptive equipment for toilets, showers, and baths and teach patients how to use them safely.
3. Patients can strengthen crucial cognitive skills. The OT can work with patients on specific cognitive skills they need to function safely at home like scheduling appointments, paying bills, filling one’s pill box, or using public transportation.
4. OTs develop disease-specific strategies for home.  They can help diabetics read labels and choose the right foods in their own kitchens or develop strategies for people with congestive heart failure to perform daily activities without getting too short of breath. They also suggest helpful home modifications when necessary.
5. Leaving home is a hardship for many. Leaving the home can be difficult for people with Alzheimer's or those recovering from a stroke. Without home OT, many of these patients would not get the care they need. Homecare also can significantly reduce stress for caregivers.
   
   Providing all this care requires rigorous training.  OTs hold master's degrees and state licensure. Many earn doctoral degrees, as well. Most of all, Shifley says OTs are very pragmatic and resourceful.
   
   “If a patient is not comfortable with a suggested treatment, we will figure out an alternate route,” he added. “We ask people what is important to them and create a personalized plan.”
   
   VNA of Ohio is a pioneer in homecare. Founded in 1902, its team of nurses and therapists have a long history of caring for people where they are most comfortable—in their own homes. For more information, please call (216) 931-1300.