Occupational therapy at home
Occupational therapists who rebuild the daily skills that keep a person independent: dressing, bathing, cooking, and moving safely around their own home.
What's included
- Activities of daily living retraining
- Bathroom and kitchen safety modifications
- Adaptive equipment training
- Upper-body strength and fine-motor recovery
- Energy conservation for heart and lung patients
- Cognitive strategies after stroke or with dementia
- Caregiver training for safe assistance
- Home accessibility recommendations
How it works
- Physician order. Your doctor, or the hospital at discharge, sends us the order.
- Eligibility check. We verify Medicare or insurance before the first visit — no surprises.
- Start of care. A registered nurse visits within 48 hours and writes the plan of care.
- Visits. occupational therapy visits follow the plan; progress is reported to the physician.
Questions about occupational therapy
What is the difference between OT and PT?
Physical therapy focuses on strength, balance and walking. Occupational therapy focuses on the tasks of daily life — getting dressed, bathing, preparing a meal — and adapting the home so those tasks can be done safely.
Who benefits most from home OT?
Patients recovering from stroke, joint replacement, or a long hospital stay, and people with arthritis, Parkinson's or early dementia who are losing independence at home.
Does the therapist recommend home changes?
Yes. Simple, specific ones: a raised toilet seat, a grab bar placed where the patient actually reaches, lighting on the stairs, moving the coffee maker to counter height.
Is occupational therapy covered by Medicare?
Yes, under the same home health benefit as nursing and physical therapy, when ordered by a physician for a homebound patient.