Home Health
Home Health services assist clients recently discharged from hospital and others who have difficulty managing daily activities to live at home safely after injury or illness and gradually return to community activities.
Overview
Home health services assist clients who have difficulty managing activities of daily living including bathing, dressing, meal preparation, cleaning, mobility, home management and community access. Through a combination of adaptive equipment, mobility aides, education, exercise, graded activity and support services, clients achieve greater independence and safety at home. Where appropriate, clients are transitioned to an activation program to facilitate a return to a broader scope of activity in the community or workplace.
Benefits
Improved functioning via Home Health services provides a foundation for returning to other meaningful activities as well as a number of benefits.
Service Components
Occupational Therapy (OT)
OTs review medical information and evaluate client function and mobility to develop a treatment plan that includes adaptive equipment (e.g. raised toilet seat), mobility aids, strategies to address symptom management, activity modification and the use of prescribed equipment. Ongoing intervention ensures client activity, support levels and equipment use are adjusted as function improves in response to therapy. Recommendations for home support, attendant care, home modifications and transportation assistance can also be provided.
Physiotherapy (PT)
For many clients, travel to a physiotherapy clinic can be difficult especially when dealing with mobility challenges. Home PT services address this need and may include bed/chair-based exercises, gait training, joint mobilization, and strengthening work using tension bands. Clients participating in this program experience improved strength, balance and coordination enabling them to safely mobilize within and outside of the home.
Activation & Return to Function
OTs structure daily activities to increase functional abilities and independence. Household, community and leisure activities are incorporated into a graded activity schedule that assists clients in re-establishing a productive & meaningful routine. Kinesiologists & PTs implement active exercise programs at home or in the community through gym and/or pool-based sessions. Return to Function services assist clients in returning to meaningful roles including caregiver, parent, volunteer and student; a return to pre-disability participation is targeted.
Power Mobility & Seating/Positioning
Assessment of the client’s physical and cognitive status, home/community access requirements, available funding, and anticipated changes in function over time enables selection of appropriate manual or power mobility options, pressure relieving seating systems and sleeping surfaces. OTs liaise with equipment vendors & implement trial periods to ensure the right fit before a final recommendation is made.
