Thanks for checking out our very FIRST blog post! We decided to start with something dear to our heart, our business setting!  Beach Baby Pediatric Therapy provides home and community-based therapy services. Instead of receiving therapy in a clinic or hospital setting, a licensed therapist travels to the patient's home, daycare, school or community setting to provide services. While there are truly so many benefits to receiving therapy in a natural setting, here are a few of our favorites:

1. Family Involvement: This one is huge! Home-based therapy allows family members (parents, babysitters, siblings, grandparents and even pets!) to actively participate in and support the patient's therapy and care. 

2. Increased Compliance: Increased compliance is typically seen both in attendance and carry over of home exercises! Because of family involvement, there tends to be increased carry over of therapeutic exercises between therapy sessions.  Family members are able to learn techniques to support their child's ongoing progress. As therapy sessions take place in the home, attendance tends to be more consistent. 

3. Enhanced Comfort: Being in a familiar setting helps to reduce anxiety and promote a more relaxed atmosphere, contributing to a positive therapeutic experience. 

4. Personalized Care: In the home setting therapists are able to tailor interventions to each patient’s specific environment and challenges of their home, further helping with carryover and consistency. 

5. Reduced Risk of Infection: Especially relevant in times of health concerns, home-based therapy minimizes exposure to potentially infectious environments, contributing to a safer rehabilitation experience. 

6. Flexibility in Scheduling: Home-based therapy often allows for more flexible scheduling options, accommodating the patient and family’s daily routine and preferences.

7.  Assessment of Home Environment: Therapists can assess and address safety concerns and environmental factors that may affect the patient's therapy.  Therapists are also able to formulate a home exercise program using what is available in the patient's home, leading to increased carry over with exercises.

8.  Minimized Transportation Barriers:  Home-based therapy reduces reliance on transportation and eliminates travel time.  This is especially helpful for families who must travel with medical equipment or for those that do not tolerate travel in a car seat well.  Preparing to leave the home could take some families an additional 30 to 60 minutes each way not including therapy time.

9.  Incorporation of Assistive Devices: Therapists can assess and integrate assistive devices into the home setting, educating the family and patient on safe use in their specific home and community setting.  This also allows the therapist to make adjustments to the equipment on an ongoing basis.

10. Developmentally Appropriate Independence Skills: Home-based therapy facilitates the development of age-appropriate independence skills, such as: dressing, grooming, and self-care, in a setting that is most relevant to the child's daily life.

Contact us at (727) 871-2784 if you want to learn more about home-based therapy services!