Assets of Being in a Patient's Home

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Occupational Therapy is a very broad profession.  The number of conditions an OT may treat is enormous. The true beauty of home health for Occupational Therapy is that every scenario is real-world.  We’re not reconstructing and simulating a person’s bathroom environment in a treatment room in a hospital like a couple of kids playing with imaginary figures, we’re seeing THE bathroom. 

And best of all, we can see exactly how a person interacts in their environment.  The dysfunctions are readily apparent when you see them live and in the flesh.  It’s such an easy way to find the problem, treat it and eliminate it. 

Fall prevention sure works a lot better when you are able to see the scene of the crime--throw rugs galore, slick floors, and legos everywhere--you don’t need to be Sherlock Holmes in Home Health; you just need to use your eyes.

In your patient’s home, you have a window into their world.  Their habits and rituals exist in context and can’t be repeated in a hospital where they can barely sleep, struggle to stomach green jello and rock hard “chicken” nuggets before being pricked and prodded and then drug off to therapy.  Ever tried to explain to someone what your morning routine is? It’s not as easy as you think.

Take advantage of the real-world situations and problems that you are presented with while in a patient’s home. Use your knowledge, skills, and expertise to help you patient to be able to complete their ADLs with greater ease and safety.