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“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
—Nelson Mandela
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LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this chapter, readers will be able to:
26-1. Analyze how the concept of home health occupational therapy services is successfully delivered in different contexts.
26-2. Evaluate the role of an occupational therapist in home health in order to determine what skills and knowledge are needed to be successful in this setting.
26-3. Compare and contrast the roles of different disciplines seen in the home health setting that create a collaborative interprofessional team.
26-4. Relate the Medicare rules and regulations that affect home health to the practice of occupational therapy in order to ensure compliant and ethical standards are met.
26-5. Synthesize information related to the assessment process in home health and to data collection and documentation requirements for reimbursement.
26-6. Synthesize information about exemplar occupational therapy interventions to address patients’ occupational challenges.
26-7. Explore and design new ways to advocate for occupational therapy services in home health.
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Mini Case Study
Mr. Omar Ali Bey is a 68-year-old retired postal worker who lives in a small two-story bungalow in a low-income neighborhood near the city center. The home has three bedrooms and one bathroom, all located on the second floor. He has had diabetes for 30 years and recently underwent a left, below-knee amputation secondary to his diabetes. Mr. Bey was fitted with a prosthesis, had 2 weeks of inpatient rehabilitation with occupational therapy and physical therapy, and has been discharged to his home. His wife, also 68 years old, has rheumatoid arthritis and macular degeneration and struggles to take care of herself. Their three children live within several miles of their parents but have full-time jobs and adolescent children at home. Although the family is emotionally close and supportive, the children have limited time to provide instrumental assistance.
Provocative Questions
What aspects of Mr. Bey’s health status and living situation would qualify him for home health services?
What are some of the immediate areas of concern that an occupational therapist could address?
What skills would an occupational therapist need to successfully develop a plan of care and provide interventions that are best practices?
What other disciplines in an interprofessional team might be needed as part of Mr. Bey’s home health plan of care?
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Home health is a healthcare setting that has allowed patients to have better access to services by providing these services in the patient’s own home. The setting of home health has proven to be a cost-effective and quality-measured option for patients with illness, injury, or other conditions. These conditions are often due to older age, disability, or chronic conditions and can lead to difficulties in occupational performance. As the population ages, the need for ...