Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Missouri is committed to providing quality home health therapy services. A patient may qualify for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech therapy services to maximize their ability to function safely in their home environment. Home health therapy services are typically provided to patients who are considered homebound, meaning they are unable to safely leave their home for therapy services at a clinic. Once a physician orders therapy services, a licensed therapist will evaluate the patient to determine specific areas that may be limiting patient safety and independence in the home. The patient and caregiver help the therapist set rehabilitation goals and establish a plan of care to meet those goals.

All therapy services strive to identify home safety concerns and provide recommendations to decrease the risk of injury. Concerns may be related to the patient’s physical abilities, cognitive abilities, and /or environmental setting. Home health services are always focused on decreasing the risk of injury in the home.

Physical Therapy

  • Treatment sessions focus on the patient’s strength, balance, and functional mobility.
  • May educate the patient on the appropriate use of walking devices, prosthetics, and other adaptive equipment.
  • Work with the patient on establishing a home exercise program for long-term independence at home.
  • Identify pain management techniques with exercise and modalities as indicated

Occupational Therapy

  • Treatment sessions focus on safety and independence with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) which include but are not limited to, dressing, grooming, bathing, toileting, meal preparation, laundry, housekeeping, and hobbies.
  • May educate the patient on the use of adaptive equipment devices to allow increased independence with ADLs, such as a tub transfer bench, elevated toilet seat, reacher, sock aid, long-handled comb, elastic shoelaces, etc.
  • Address upper body strength and breathing exercises for activity tolerance, along with energy conservation techniques that may be incorporated with ADLs.
  • Work with the patient on establishing a home exercise program for long-term independence at home.
  • Identify pain management techniques with exercise and modalities as indicated.

Speech Therapy

Treatment sessions focus on a patient’s ability to communicate and/or swallow, along with cognitive functions.

  • May educate the patient on appropriate liquid/food consistency for safe swallowing, modify and progress swallowing techniques.
  • Identify alternative techniques for communication if verbal communication is limited, and work with the patient on verbal and non-verbal communication exercises.
  • Work with the patient on establishing a home exercise program for long-term independence in the home as related to speech therapy deficits.
  • Address memory/cognitive deficits and compensatory techniques.
  • VNA also has a speech therapist certified in Vital Stim to strengthen swallowing muscles in the throat (available in some areas).

Payment Methods

Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicaid, Private Insurance, Workman’s Comp, Veterans Affairs, Private Pay, and Charitable Contributions (when available) are some of the methods used to reimburse services for VNA patients. *Covered services may vary by payor source. Please call with any questions.

Eligibility Requirements

SKILLED SERVICES can be provided only under the direction of a licensed doctor. Each payment source has its own eligibility guidelines. In many cases, the patient must be “homebound”. This means leaving home to obtain medical care is difficult or causes hardship and the patient rarely leaves home except with help for very short periods of time. In some cases, the physician prescribes that the patient remain home until treatment is completed to avoid prolonging the recovery period or risking exposure to additional health threats while the patient’s resistance is low.