Home-based CareThe Importance of Referrals

One essential part of creating an effective care plan after suffering from a recent or chronic decline is obtaining a referral from a doctor that not only specializes in treating your ailments but also fits into your insurance plan. Often we see that these referrals come from either the medical staff overseeing the discharge planning, or from friends and family that have experienced great success with medical care following one of the two scenarios listed above. At Smart Rehab we have extensive experience with both types of referrals and work to get home-based physical therapy covered for those that qualify.

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Physicians

We work closely with physicians and their offices as an extension of the care they provide for their patients.  Specifically, we work with those physicians that specialize in geriatrics or see a large Medicare population.

These physicians typically have many patients who are having a decline in function which can be due to pain, generalized weakness, compromised balance and/or unsteady gait.   These complaints can put older adults at a risk for falls that can cause serious injury. For this population, it is easier and more functional to have physical therapy in their own home since we can see the patient’s true limitations in their home environment.

The goal of the patient is to remain in their home setting and our physical therapy is tailored specifically toward helping them reach this goal.

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Family Members/Friends

Many times the spouse, child, neighbor or friend of the older adult have the closest vantage point to see the decline in overall function and may be unsure what to do about it.  This decline can be due to a loss of balance, difficulty walking, and/or decrease in strength and endurance.  Our therapists are available to discuss their concerns for their family member or friend.  Together we then decide if they would benefit from physical therapy services in the home.

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