Through my experience I have always treated a patient knowing what the next step is for them. If I worked in home health, my goals would always be to send them on to an outpatient clinic in better condition then the therapist would expect. I do not limit my patients progress based on the setting they are currently in.
However, I have frequently found that the need for outpatient therapy in a clinic does not align with the ABILITY to GO to a clinic 2-3 times a week. Many of my patients do not physically tolerate being out of the house for 2 or more hours. Often individuals have pain limiting their desire to receive therapy out of their home. I have seen quite a few older adults who live with their children and do not have transportation during the day to continue their care in a clinic after discharging from home health. While I was a new mom again, I had my baby and preschooler in tow when I was attending outpatient PT. That was VERY distracting. I would have LOVED to have a PT come to my house while my infant took a nap and my older child played enthusiastically with his toys.
It is apparent that we have a gap in the continuum of care where the patient who is improving at home, is now declining due to inaccessible care. A stay at home parent or full time professional is unable to leave the house or office, regardless of how we define “home-bound”. When you desire 100% attention and highly skilled care, a private therapist is the key to success in your rehabilitation.
I am here to create and fill that gap between the home and the clinic. I come to you. This allows me a greater ability to provide one-on-one skilled physical therapy (by a PT or PTA, not a technician), to see someone in their actual living environment, and to move with them outside as needed to meet every individual functional goal. PT on the Go is private and personal. It is a step beyond the clinical setting. I look forward to developing an individual plan of care that is specifically tailored to you. -Noelle Madraso, PT