I wasn’t sure what in-home medical services looked like. I knew some of our friends were utilizing them but didn’t really think my husband would qualify. He was still somewhat mobile, granted with assistance devices, but I never really thought of him as housebound. Then his new Primary Care Physician took one look at him, asked a couple of questions and opened a new line of treatment for him. She asked if he could walk unassisted and if he ever left our home on his own. How difficult is it when we do leave? Based on his responses, she referred him for in-home Physical Therapy.

Having been through PT in a clinic setting so many times with limited success, I have been really surprised by the difference doing it at home makes. When the Therapist visits and works with him in his normal environment, they are able to see his full capabilities. They also work with what is available so he is doing some exercises at the kitchen counter and has a walking path in the entryway and living room to practice his gait. He uses his transfer poles to do high knees and has a chair with pillows for sit to stands.

I regret not looking into this possibility sooner. It hasn’t changed any of his other treatment plan, he still sees his regular PCP and neurologist, but if we need more services they are available to him. The organization that provides his PT also has Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Nursing services. All we have to do is ask. I finally feel like we may have access to that team we were supposed to have all along. Why isn’t this the standard of care for people with Parkinson’s?