Physical, occupational or speech therapy may be recommended following surgery, hospitalization, illness, injury or a change in physical function. Although therapy can sometimes be provided in the client’s home, managing daily routines between appointments may still require additional assistance.
Horizon Care Services provides nonclinical home therapy support for seniors throughout Palm Beach County, Martin County and St. Lucie County. Private-duty caregivers can assist with personal care, meals, transportation, mobility, household tasks and reminders to follow an established therapy schedule.
Horizon Care Services does not provide or advertise physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, rehabilitation or wound treatment through this private-duty home-care program. Those services must be performed by appropriately licensed rehabilitation or healthcare professionals.
Home therapy services are rehabilitation services delivered in a person’s residence by a qualified therapist or therapist assistant.
Depending on the individual’s condition and treatment plan, services may include:
The therapist evaluates the client, establishes treatment goals and determines which exercises, techniques or equipment are appropriate.
Private-duty caregivers do not develop or change therapy plans. They may provide everyday assistance around the therapy schedule when those services are included in Horizon’s home-care plan.
Physical therapy focuses on movement, mobility, physical function and the management of certain movement-related limitations.
A licensed physical therapist may evaluate:
The physical therapist determines which exercises and techniques are appropriate and monitors the client’s response to treatment.
Horizon caregivers do not perform physical-therapy evaluations, prescribe exercises, provide manual therapy or independently supervise a rehabilitation program.
Occupational therapy focuses on helping people participate in everyday activities that have become difficult because of an illness, injury, disability or change in function.
A licensed occupational therapist may address activities such as:
A Horizon caregiver may provide bathing, dressing or meal-preparation assistance according to the private-duty care plan. This assistance is not occupational therapy and does not replace treatment from a licensed occupational therapist.
Speech-language pathologists evaluate and treat certain conditions affecting:
These are clinical services that require an appropriately qualified professional.
Caregivers do not evaluate swallowing, recommend food textures, diagnose communication disorders or provide speech therapy. They may follow written mealtime or communication instructions supplied by an authorized healthcare professional when those instructions are permitted within the caregiver’s role and included in the care plan.
New coughing, choking or difficulty swallowing should be reported promptly to the appropriate healthcare professional. Call 911 if the person cannot breathe or is experiencing another emergency.
Additional private-duty assistance may be helpful for someone who:
The need for caregiver assistance should be based on the client’s individual circumstances, functional abilities, home environment and approved care plan.
Temporary or continuing physical limitations may make personal-care activities more difficult.
Depending on the home-care plan, caregiver assistance may include:
Personal care is provided with attention to the client’s privacy, preferences and dignity.
A caregiver may assist with:
Caregivers do not create therapeutic diets or treat swallowing difficulties, dehydration, malnutrition or other medical concerns.
Food-texture modifications and swallowing precautions must come from a speech-language pathologist, physician, registered dietitian or another appropriately qualified professional.
When included in the care arrangement, a caregiver may provide transportation or accompaniment to:
The client must be appropriate for transportation in a nonmedical vehicle. Horizon Care Services does not provide emergency or medical transportation.
A caregiver may provide walking, positioning or transfer assistance when included in the care plan.
Assistance may include:
Caregivers use only the transfer methods and equipment for which they have the appropriate training and authorization.
The client’s therapist or another qualified healthcare professional should evaluate new mobility problems and recommend specialized equipment or transfer techniques.
When the therapist supplies a written home program, a caregiver may provide reminders according to the established schedule if permitted and included in the home-care plan.
The caregiver does not:
Questions about the home program should be directed to the treating therapist.
Caregivers may help keep commonly used areas more comfortable and accessible by:
Caregivers do not install grab bars, construct ramps, modify bathrooms or perform professional equipment installation. Home modifications should be completed by appropriately qualified professionals.
Therapy can involve several appointments, written instructions and follow-up visits.
A caregiver or care manager may help organize:
Medical instructions should be provided in writing by the treating therapist or healthcare professional.
During scheduled care hours, a caregiver may observe and report concerns to the client, an authorized family member or the appropriate healthcare professional.
Caregivers do not clinically evaluate the client’s progress or determine whether a symptom is related to therapy.
Concerns that should be reported according to the client’s medical instructions may include:
Call 911 during a medical emergency.
Family members often provide transportation, personal care, meals and supervision in addition to helping with a therapy schedule.
Respite care allows family caregivers to rest, work, attend appointments or manage other responsibilities while a private-duty caregiver provides approved assistance.
Respite may be arranged for several hours, recurring visits, evenings or overnight support, depending on the care plan and caregiver availability.
With appropriate authorization, Horizon Care Services can coordinate nonclinical home-care arrangements with the client’s:
Coordination may include receiving written instructions, organizing caregiver schedules around therapy visits and reporting permitted observations.
Clinical treatment decisions remain the responsibility of the appropriate healthcare professional.
Therapy and private-duty home care serve different purposes.
Licensed therapists provide clinical evaluations and rehabilitation treatment. Horizon’s private-duty caregivers assist with everyday activities such as personal care, meal preparation, companionship, mobility support, transportation and household routines.
A client may receive both services at the same time, but they may be supplied by separate organizations and governed by separate plans of care.
Horizon Care Services does not advertise this private-duty caregiver program as Medicare-covered physical, occupational or speech therapy.
Medicare may cover certain qualifying home health therapy services when eligibility requirements are met and services are supplied through an appropriate provider. Coverage varies according to the person’s circumstances and insurance plan. Families should verify benefits directly with Medicare, their insurer or the therapy provider.
Review Medicare’s home health coverage information for additional guidance.
Horizon Care Services provides private-duty home-care support throughout Palm Beach County, Martin County and St. Lucie County.
Communities served include North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, West Palm Beach, Wellington, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Tequesta, Stuart, Hobe Sound and Port St. Lucie.
Availability depends on the client’s location, assessment, requested schedule, approved services and caregiver availability.
If you or someone you love needs personal care, meal preparation, transportation, mobility assistance or companionship while participating in physical, occupational or speech therapy, Horizon Care Services can help you explore a personalized private-duty care arrangement.
Call 561-776-7757 (toll-free 877-227-3890) or contact Horizon Care Services to discuss home therapy support for seniors in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast.
This page is for general informational purposes and is not medical or rehabilitation advice. Consult a physician, licensed therapist or another qualified healthcare professional regarding symptoms, diagnosis, therapy and treatment.
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If you're currently experiencing an emergency situation, it would be best to call 911.
