Balance Therapy at Home

Balance Therapy at Home: an individual home care plan

Balance is used while sitting forward, standing to reach and changing direction. Home balance therapy studies the control needed for these tasks, with the therapist selecting the challenge and support according to the patient's assessment.

Sitting and standing control

Balance involves controlling the body over its available support. That control is used in sitting as well as standing, and during reaches, transfers and turns. A therapist selects relevant assessment tasks according to the person's condition rather than beginning with a challenging exercise intended for someone else.

Reach and weight-shift assessment

The support used during a task matters. A therapist may guard an activity, select a stable surface or limit a movement according to the assessment. These choices are part of the treatment, not optional details. A family member who sees a task performed during a visit should not assume that it is appropriate to repeat alone or with additional distractions.

Guarded task practice

Balance treatment and fall-prevention planning overlap but are not identical. Balance therapy concentrates on postural control during selected activities; a broader fall review may involve circumstances, environment and clinical concerns outside that focus. Dizziness or another new symptom needs appropriate review. The plan addresses individual needs without promising that balance exercises remove every risk of falling.

Related care for balance therapy at home

Balance & Fall Prevention Therapy. Fall Risk Assessment at Home.

Eligibility and insurance review

Original Medicare Part A & B may cover eligible home health care when the applicable homebound, skilled-care, clinician-order and certification requirements are met and services follow an individual plan through a Medicare-certified agency. Coverage and any patient responsibility require verification. Blue Shield of California PPO and Anthem Blue Cross PPO benefits are also reviewed individually. Equipment, medications and separately billed services require their own benefit review.

To discuss balance therapy at home in Los Angeles County, contact HarvardCare Home Health with the current clinical instructions and the tasks that need support. Referring clinicians can use the patient referral page. Assessment, service availability and individual eligibility determine the next steps.