Occupational therapy at home
In-home occupational therapy helps patients regain independence in the activities of daily living — dressing, bathing, meal preparation, and household management — that illness, surgery, or neurological events have disrupted. A licensed OT works in the patient's actual home environment, adapting the space and teaching techniques that make independent living possible again.
What our occupational therapists do
- Activities of daily living (ADL) retraining — bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting
- Instrumental ADL — meal prep, laundry, home management, medication handling
- Fine motor and upper extremity rehabilitation after stroke or surgery
- Cognitive rehabilitation — memory, problem-solving, safety judgment
- Home safety assessment — identifying and removing fall hazards
- Adaptive equipment recommendation — grab bars, shower chairs, dressing aids, reachers
- Energy conservation training for cardiac and pulmonary patients
- Caregiver training on safe assist techniques for bathing and transfers
- Driving assessment referral for patients returning to independent mobility
Conditions our OTs treat at home
| Diagnosis | OT Focus |
|---|---|
| Stroke / CVA | Upper extremity rehab, ADL retraining, cognitive function, home safety |
| Hip or knee replacement | Lower extremity precautions during dressing/bathing; adaptive equipment; home modification |
| Hand / wrist surgery | Fine motor retraining, splinting, grip strength, return-to-function |
| CHF / Cardiac | Energy conservation, activity pacing, safe exercise tolerance |
| COPD | Breathing techniques during activity, energy conservation, ADL modification |
| Dementia / Alzheimer's | Cognitive strategies, routine structuring, caregiver training, home safety |
| Parkinson's disease | Fine motor activities, handwriting, ADL adaptation, freezing strategies |
| TBI / Neurological | Cognitive rehab, visual-perceptual skills, ADL independence |
What does in-home OT cost?
For eligible homebound patients, Medicare Part A covers 100% of approved occupational therapy visits — no copay, no deductible.
Note: Under Medicare, OT does not independently open the home health benefit — the plan of care must include skilled nursing, PT, or speech therapy as the qualifying service. However, once the benefit is active, OT is covered in full. In practice, most patients receiving OT also have at least one other qualifying service on the plan of care. Kassy Health will clarify coverage during intake.
Common questions
Physical therapy focuses on movement, strength, balance, and gait — getting the patient to move safely through space. Occupational therapy focuses on the activities of life — bathing, dressing, cooking, and other functional tasks. Both disciplines often treat the same patients, and their goals complement each other. Many Kassy Health patients receive both concurrently under a single plan of care.
Yes. A comprehensive home safety assessment is part of every OT evaluation. The therapist will identify barriers to independence and safety — loose rugs, inadequate bathroom grab bars, narrow doorways, bed height — and provide specific recommendations. We help families prioritize and source adaptive equipment. Installation of modifications like grab bars is coordinated through the social work or family network.
Yes. OTs specializing in dementia care structure daily routines to reduce confusion and behavioral triggers, simplify the environment to minimize hazards, and train family caregivers in redirection and communication strategies. Cognitive rehabilitation exercises can help maintain orientation and functional independence for longer. Our OTs also evaluate and address caregiver fatigue and recommend respite resources through the social work team.