Medicare Benefits for Occupational Therapy

Hazel did not realize how much she relied on her husband for assistance until he passed away two years ago. Hazel has rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the joints, including hands and feet.

When I visited, her small house was in disarray. She apologized as she was aware how her home might look to a stranger. She clearly did not have full range of motion, and at the age of 78, suffered from stiffness and pain in most of her joints. Bending, picking up after herself and cleaning was not possible. It took most of her mornings just to get dressed and prepare breakfast.

I immediately came up with a few solutions that could be easy fixes and significantly improve her daily life. I called Hazel’s primary care physician and requested a home health visit for OT (Occupational Therapy). When the therapist arrived, he completed a thorough report after learning about Hazel’s difficulties with her activities of daily living (ADL’s), then going through her house to learn what adaptive devices could benefit her. He also looked for safety hazards.

Hazel was relieved to learn that many durable goods are covered up to 80% by Medicare. These include wheelchairs, walkers and other devices that prevent falls and help keep seniors independent and safe in their homes. Hazel wanted to remain in her home where she and her husband had lived for 35 years. She also knew falling was a real risk for her.

Her occupational therapist recommended a floor-to-ceiling pole next to the living room sofa that Hazel could grab onto to lift herself from a sitting position. He also recommended all throw rugs be rolled up and stored due to the risk of tripping and falling. His complete list of recommendations included a walker, shower chair, handheld shower head, grab bars for the shower, a raised toilet seat, and cutlery designed with wide handles for impaired hand range of motion.

Because she cannot stand for long periods without pain, Hazel’s nutrition was compromised. I called Meals on Wheels to augment her diet and provide a daily meal.

I also recommended a bath aide weekly and companion caregiver for shopping, errand running and light housekeeping. Hazel now feels empowered as she is able to remain safely in her home longer. With her adaptive devices, she feels more confident. She is also aware that as her condition changes she has healthcare providers she can call on to help her navigate through new challenges that may arise.

After a few weeks I visited Hazel again. She greeted me with a huge smile and a twinkle in her eye. She said she has a lot of fun telling her friends about her pole in the living room that she is going to learn how to dance around.