Physical and Speech Therapy
At Coastal Hospice, our goal is to make our patients’ experience at simple and easy as possible. One of the main ways we strive to meet this goal is by bringing as many services as possible right to the patient’s home, including many of the therapies they would normally have to go to a doctor’s office or facility to receive. This includes all of our therapy services, such as physical therapy and speech therapy!
Please note: Therapy services are only offered to our hospice patients at this time.
There are so many benefits to receiving therapy services from Coastal Hospice! First, because our therapists are an in-house part of our team, they are able to more efficiently coordinate and communicate with your nurses and the rest of your care team to make sure that your care is consistent and directed towards a single set of goals.
Secondly, because we come to you in your home, not only are you able to receive the best level of care at the most convenient location for you, but your family and/or caregivers are also able to observe and learn from your therapy sessions. This allows them to do a better job of helping to care for you, since they will be able to ask questions during your sessions, and know exactly what they need to help you implement in-between your therapy visits.
Finally, receiving care in your home or living environment allows your therapist to tailor your care to your exact living situation. So whether it is helping you to create a path through your house that is free of hazards, helping you learn the safest way to bathe or shower based on your exact bathroom layout, or helping you to create an organizational system in your kitchen that allows you to take care of yourself without the risk of further discomfort or injury, we seek to make your life as easy, safe, and comfortable as possible.
Physical Therapy
Approximately 75% of our home health patients and many of our hospice patients need the services of a Physical Therapist at some point during their time with us. Whether it is learning to walk again after a major surgery, stroke, or brain injury, or recovering from the weakness and reconditioning that can come from being bed-bound for as little as 2-4 days, we help you get your mobility, strength, balance, and gait back on track.
Speech Therapy
Speech Therapists help patients with speech fluency, pronunciation, and loudness, but they also do so much more! From helping patients who are experiencing difficulty swallowing, to helping patients experiencing brain fog or cognitive decline, to training the patient and family to use communication boards or other communication devices if they are unable to vocalize, our goal is to help each and every patient maintain their dignity and their ability to participate in and self-direct their care as long as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Does my insurance cover physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy?
Answer: Medicare (Part A) is very friendly to home health services, including therapy. Medicare Advantage plans vary, but most are very good, and many other insurance plans cover therapy as a part of their home health or hospice benefits.
Question: Do I need a referral?
Answer: Yes. Because therapy services are prescribed and directed by your doctor, you will need a referral to receive services from our therapists.
Question: How often do you visit me?
Answer: How often we visit depends on many factors, including the severity of your condition, your rate of recovery, and the plan of care prescribed by your doctor. Many of our patients receive visits from their therapist 1-2x per week, and then work on implementing their exercise plans and other therapist recommendations independently in-between visits.