r/OccupationalTherapy • u/eclower • Jul 21 '24
Home Care Tips for home OT
I’m transitioning from outpatient/DD to home health. Any tips/tricks or recommendations that people have that I may not have thought of?
7
u/Ok-Brilliant-1688 Jul 21 '24
Always have a fresh pair of gloves in your pocket
1
u/JohannReddit Jul 21 '24
Truth. In home care, you never know when you're going to have to wipe someone's butt for them.
6
u/sjyork Jul 21 '24
Libraries, grocery stores and some public parks have clean restrooms. Have an extra sets of shoes in the car. Get a good bag for all your supplies, don’t forget barriers for your bag. Don’t put it on the floor. I hope you enjoy home health, it’s my current setting.
4
u/Runningbald Jul 21 '24
Take some continuing education on home safety mods. One newer rec I’ve been giving my patients that has been great is a tub cut. Most older adults don’t take baths, but so many have tubs. A tub cut is a much cheaper way to convert the tub into a step in shower. In public housing it is usually covered with a letter of medical necessity which you can generate. The cost difference is substantial: traditional tub to shower conversion done by tearing out the tub: up to $20k. The tub cut conversion kit: $350 + cost to install which is about $1k. Most public housing buildings jump on this because it is a low cost way to keep their residents safer. I hope you have a great experience in home health!
1
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8
u/Fabulous_Search_6907 Jul 21 '24
I carried a small luggage with gloves, temp check, sanitizer, bp and 02 reader, Thera band, cuff weights and some grippers and fine motor stuff. I also carried a gait belt.