You may believe that speech therapy solely exists to help others learn to speak clearly after a stroke or other injury. While this is an important part of in-home speech therapy for adults, there’s actually a lot more involved in treatment plans. 

For example, did you know that speech therapy can help patients relearn how to swallow or help them swallow more effectively? Issues with memory and cognition can also be diagnosed—and treated—through comprehensive speech therapy.

Speech therapy is just one of our many in-home health services we offer. These services provide homebound, disabled, or post-surgery patients with convenient access to high-quality medical care without the need to leave their homes. Want to find accessible home health services? Click to get care now.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the benefits our program offers as well as address some of the most common questions we receive. 

7 Benefits of Our In-Home Speech Therapy for Adults

1. You’re able to receive care at your residence.

If you’re recovering from a stroke or have a condition such as Parkinson’s disease, we know that going to an outpatient services center is difficult at best, and often impossible. Our certified, experienced speech therapists come to you, providing care in the place you call home, where you’re in a familiar environment surrounded by those you love. 

2. You’re not stressed by traveling.

When you’re facing the challenge of coping with an accident, illness or disability, even the simple task of traveling to another location is involved and requires extensive planning–especially if you live in a rural area where you have to drive longer distances to receive care. Our home health speech therapy for adults relieves this stress because we provide services where you live. 

3. We tailor our care to fit your needs.

Not everyone will need swallowing therapy, and sometimes just a few cognition exercises are needed to assess your memory and recall. By offering individualized attention in your home, we’re able to pinpoint your exact needs and provide care accordingly. 

4. Family members can be involved.

At 3HC, we see ourselves as a family helping your family. We believe it’s important to help the entire family because you are an important part of who we are. We can also provide educational information to help your family support and help care for you. 

5. You’ll have better outcomes.

If you receive speech therapy as part of our home health services, you’ll be able to have more frequent practice. As a result, you’ll be able to reinforce your skills more often. Typically, this equals a faster recovery. 

6. You’ll have a reduced risk of infection.

Any time you go out into a clinical setting or into the general public, there’s always a risk that you could catch a virus and get sick. However, when your care is based at home, this dramatically reduces the likelihood of that happening. 

7. You’ll be able to focus on functional communication.

What do we mean by functional communication? We mean that your “practice” will consist of much more than forming vowels and pronunciation. When you’re at home, you can structure your treatment around practical applications, such as communicating with others in your household and implementing what you have learned from speech therapy into your daily routine. 

What Are Some Signs You Need In-Home Speech Therapy?

You may need in-home speech therapy if:

• You have difficulty swallowing
• Others have problems understanding you
• You frequently forget words or struggle to form them
• You have issues with using the correct words
• You have repeated memory problems
• You have difficulty following conversations
• It’s difficult to understand nonverbal cues

What Types of Conditions Can In-home Speech Therapy Help Address?

Through our decades of experience, our certified speech therapists have helped those with issues such as:

• Parkinson’s disease
• Difficulty swallowing
• Dementia
• Strokes
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Accidents
• Neurological disorders
• Certain types of cancer
• ALS

Who Is Eligible for Home Health Speech Therapy?

First, be aware that Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers may have a specific set of criteria you must meet to be eligible for coverage for home health speech therapy. Therefore, we encourage you to speak with your insurance representative to ensure you have the latest, most reliable information. 

In general, you are eligible for home health speech therapy if:

• You are homebound and have difficulty leaving your residence
• Your physician determines you need speech therapy services
• Your condition warrants assistance of a certified speech-language pathologist (sleep therapist)
• Your doctor regularly reviews your condition and reevaluates if home speech therapy is still needed

Is In-Home Speech Therapy Covered by Medicare?

There are several variables to whether or not in-home health care is covered by Medicare. 

In general, you have to prove 1) that you meet the definition of “homebound” and 2) the services are needed.

It’s important to note that Medicare will only cover the cost of the services that are medically related. For example, they will pay for speech therapy or medical equipment, but they will not pay for housekeeping assistance services (even if those services are needed).

Because regulations and rules are constantly evolving, we encourage you to get in touch with your Medicare representative to ensure you have the latest, most accurate information. 

3HC: Our Family Helping You Through Comprehensive Speech Therapy Services

When you’re having difficulty communicating, even the simplest tasks can become almost insurmountable challenges. Our team is here to support you, and we’ll create a personalized plan that is tailored to fit your needs. We’ll help you reach your goals and bring confidence and connection back into your everyday interactions. 

Click to get care that can help you and your family.