Speech Therapy and Home Health

At Active, we take pride in offering home health services that allow your loved one to recover in the convenience of their own home. One critical service that we offer is in-home speech therapy. This valuable service helps eligible patients improve essential skills while in the comfort of their own homes, such as processing information, communicating, and swallowing. In many cases, speech therapy patients are recovering from medical issues such as cancer, dementia, stroke, and other types of brain injuries.

Active Home Health Offers In-Home Speech Therapy

While there are many places to receive speech therapy, many patients prefer the comfort of their own homes. Our patient-centered in-home speech therapy enhances language skills, swallowing abilities, and speech, giving your loved one a pathway forward in their recovery process. If you or a loved one require speech therapy services, the compassionate team at Active can help. Contact our Utah hospice and home health company to schedule an evaluation today.

What is speech therapy?

Speech therapy is a specialized treatment that focuses on treating, diagnosing, and managing speech and swallowing disorders. Different things, such as disability, disease, and injury, can cause speech problems. In other adults, problems may occur simply because of aging.

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) focus on assessing, diagnosing, preventing, and treating a wide range of speech disorders, such as:

• Speech problems – Some adults may have issues with speaking due to aging, such as trouble with vocal cords and voice box (larynx) muscles.
• Social communication disorders – Older adults may have trouble communicating in socially appropriate ways, such as making rude comments or asking direct questions. This type of disorder is a common after a brain injury.
• Cognitive-communication disorders – Speech therapy can assist patients with swallowing disorders, such as trouble eating or swallowing. These disorders commonly occur after a stroke, illness, injury, or surgery.
• Swallowing disorders – Speech therapy can assist patients with swallowing disorders. These types of disorders commonly occur after a stroke, illness, injury, or surgery.
• Language disorders – These types of disorders are common when someone has a difficult time expressing their ideas, feelings, and thoughts. They can even affect written or spoken words.
• Speech disorders – Speech disorders are conditions in which a person has problems creating or forming the sounds necessary to communicate effectively with others. These disorders can be caused by various issues, such as brain injury, dementia, muscle weakness, or stroke. Some of the most common include aphasia, dysarthria, and apraxia.

Who needs speech therapy?

Speech therapy can benefit individuals from various age groups and conditions. At Active, we commonly help older adults recovering from an accident or surgery, or managing an acute or chronic illness. This type of therapy can be tailored to address specific goals and needs, making it a versatile and essential intervention appropriate for various conditions that affect swallowing and communication. If your healthcare provider suspects you have a speech disorder and can benefit from therapy, they can recommend a home healthcare company to provide that service for you in the comfort of your home.

What does a speech therapist do?

Speech therapists focus on preventing, assessing, diagnosing, and treating speech, social communication, cognitive communication, and swallowing disorders. During therapy, a therapist will perform an assessment to find out your level of function and discuss goals. This individualized assessment addresses the patient’s specific needs and helps the therapist develop a treatment plan. In some cases, tests will be performed to evaluate speech areas, including your ability to understand others and express yourself. Based on the results of this test, your SLP will create a treatment plan that helps you achieve your goals. Treatment typically includes:

• Breathing exercises to help control the tongue and mouth
• Articulation exercises, such as sound repetition and word lists
• Fluency exercises, such as slow speech practice
• Swallowing exercises like swallowing maneuvers, chewing exercises, and postural techniques

A speech therapist will monitor and track progress throughout treatment by making detailed reports and records. Perhaps one of the most important services an SLP offers is emotional support and advocacy for a patient’s needs in a home healthcare setting. Should the patient need additional resources or services, the SLP can help them access the help they need.

How long does speech therapy last?

Many different factors can affect how long an individual will need speech therapy. The patient’s age, type of speech disorder, and any underlying medical conditions are all common things that affect the length of time that they will need therapy. For example, some patients need speech therapy to restore function after a stroke. Elderly adults often need treatment for at least a few months up to a few years, with many patients experiencing improvement within several months with consistent therapy. In some cases, some patients may be working with a home health speech therapist indefinitely. During treatment, working closely with your speech therapist to monitor your progress and adjust plans as needed is essential.

What happens during speech therapy sessions?

Patients new to speech therapy may not know what to expect, and many wonder how they can be prepared for their first session. Simply put, the therapist is there to help you recover and improve your speech function.

During the first session, the therapist will introduce themself and get to know the patient. They will review health records and understand the patient’s abilities. Therapists aim to make this appointment as stress-free and relaxing as possible. Sometimes, they’ll even bring a light-hearted game or jigsaw puzzle to help put the patient at ease. At the end of the session, the therapist will establish a care plan to determine how often they’ll meet, how long each session lasts, and how many appointments will be necessary to help the patient achieve their goal. If your loved one is undergoing speech therapy, family members will often be recruited to help their loved ones work on exercises in between therapy sessions.

Is speech therapy included in home health?

Many home health companies offer speech therapy services as part of a comprehensive care program. Home health services aim to provide support and medical care to individuals in their own homes instead of in an institutionalized or hospital setting. There are many benefits to having speech therapy at home. By offering speech therapy in the comfort of their home, home health companies provide a convenient therapy option by eliminating the need for transportation, which can be challenging for adults with health problems or mobility issues.

Speech therapy for home health also has the added benefit of flexible scheduling, allowing the patient to choose therapy sessions when they fit best into their routine. Patients often feel more relaxed and able to engage in therapy at home, and the daily therapy techniques are more easily integrated into the patient’s daily activities. In addition, SLPs have the additional benefit of observing the patient in their daily life and home environment, which makes the therapy more relevant and practical.

Is speech therapy covered by Medicare and Medicaid?

In Utah, specific guidelines dictate what is covered by Medicare and Medicaid. In many cases, speech therapy is covered by Medicare Part A & B depending on the setting. A physician must deem it medically necessary and it must be provided by a qualified SLP.

Medicaid coverage can vary depending on the patient’s eligibility category. Overall, many speech therapy services for children are covered under the EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment) benefit. This benefit offers preventative healthcare for children under 21 years old. Speech therapy services for adults under Medicaid can vary depending on the specific program and the needs of the individual.

How do I get started with home health speech therapy services?

Knowing how to begin receiving home health speech therapy services can be difficult. If you or a loved one needs services, it’s best to schedule an appointment with a primary care physician or a specialist, such as an ENT or neurologist. These medical professionals can assess your need for speech therapy and provide a referral if necessary.

• Obtain referral and review insurance – After you have obtained a referral from a physician, you will need to proceed with the insurance verification process. Start by contacting your Medicare or Medicaid provider to determine eligibility and verify home health speech therapy coverage. Ensure that you understand limitations, requirements, and any additional co-pays. If you are a private insurance patient, check with your insurance company to understand coverage and review the authorization process.
• Find a provider and schedule an evaluation: To find an agency, search online, consult various community resources, or ask your physician or family members for suggestions. Ensure that the agency is licensed and the SLPs are certified and experienced. Once you have found an agency, schedule an initial assessment to help you understand how the company operates. Once you’ve chosen a home health agency, begin therapy and coordinate with the agency to set up services and work through logistical details