An Occupational Therapist is able to work in conjunction with physical therapy, licensed social workers, nurses and aides to visit home bound clients and provide therapy in their home. The therapist will typically begin with a home safety evaluation to assess the person’s home, their needs for adaptive devices, for example – grab bars. The therapist will provide a treatment plan to allow the patient to be as independent as possible and remain in their home. Part of the treatment plan will be to address the client’s daily activities such as dressing, grooming, toileting and bathing and physical activity. The therapist also considers the client’s conditions and provides the following strategies:
Diabetes: Occupational therapy addresses the many aspects of diabetes management that must become daily routines: blood sugar monitoring, hygiene and foot care, meal planning and preparation, healthy coping strategies, and physical activity. Occupational therapy practitioners can also train patients with diabetes to use compensatory strategies for vision, sensory, or motor loss that may interfere with their daily activities (Sokol-McKay, 2011).
Heart failure: Occupational therapy addresses strategies to conserve energy and reduce the demands of activities, while integrating appropriate physical activity and self-monitoring. Occupational therapy practitioners can assist patients to master new activities—daily weights, modified diets—and incorporate these activities into regular routines (Branick, 2003; Norberg, Boman, & Lofgren, 2010).
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Occupational therapy addresses strategies to conserve energy, reduce the demands of activities, and self-monitor to avoid exacerbations. Occupational therapy practitioners can assist patients to incorporate pacing, planning, and stress management into daily activities (Branick, 2003).
Cognitive and behavioral health conditions: Occupational therapy addresses daily routines, medication adherence, self-management, and stress management strategies. With a core knowledge base in psychosocial issues, occupational therapists can also address behavioral health conditions and train caregivers to provide appropriate cues and support to patients with cognitive limitations to optimize performance and reduce agitation or confusion.
The following is a link for a home safety checklist: