Geriatric Quick Consult      Placement Problems      Do #4

Get an early OT and PT evaluation if needed.

Knowledge Action
OT and PT are also crucial members of the care giving team of the elderly patient.

To determine the proper discharge location for the patient, OT and PT evaluations are extremely helpful.

An OT evaluation will provide you with information about the patient's abilities regarding ADLs.

If a person is dependent in 3 or more ADLs they meet the Medicare/Medicaid requirements for nursing home placement.

If they require aid in less than 3 ADLs and have no skilled nursing needs, neither Medicare nor Medicaid will pay for nursing home care.

This information is vital when considering nursing home placement.
  • Consider OT and PT evaluations.
A PT evaluation will provide you with information regarding the ability of the patient to ambulate.

This information will help you determine if the patient requires additional equipment such as a walker or wheel chair if they are going home.
  • Use PT evaluation to determine equipment needs.
Both the PT and OT evaluation will help you determine if further therapy is necessary for the patient.

If the patient is going home, both OT and PT can be ordered to continue at home.

The evaluations can also determine whether the patient can be admitted to a nursing home for therapy to be covered by Medicare.

OT and PT can provide home evaluations for necessary adaptations.

This includes suggestions for ramps for wheel chair bound patients, removal of throw rugs, placement of handrails in bathrooms, and others specific to the patient's needs.
  • Use both evaluations to determine further needs.
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