John’s Experience with Home-Based Outpatient Rehabilitation: ‘It’s Been a Godsend for Him’
In the summer of 2024, John Lucas of Rockland tore his Achilles tendon.
“I ignored it for a while, not thinking that’s what it was,” he said. “When I was diagnosed, I was put in a boot for eight or nine weeks.”
That injury was the latest in a series of health challenges Lucas has faced over the past few years, including a hospitalization due to COVID-19 and multiple cases of pneumonia.
As his Achilles tendon healed, Lucas knew physical therapy would be beneficial for his recovery – but getting up and out was a difficult task, particularly during the winter months.
Instead, Lucas received a referral for Home-Based Outpatient Rehabilitation through South Shore VNA, which allowed him to receive physical therapy services from home.
“It’s been a godsend for him,” said Marge, Lucas’s wife. “It’s been fantastic.”
Getting patients the care they need, where they need it
An active person by nature, Lucas isn’t content to sit still.
However, his multiple bouts with respiratory illness took a toll on his stamina and his Achilles tendon injury made walking difficult, particularly after the removal of his walking boot.
Riding to an appointment and walking into a practice would have been challenging for Lucas, which made in-home services more appealing.
“I’m one of those people where if I have to go to a physical therapy spot, I’m less likely to do it,” Lucas explained. “I think it worked out great doing it at home.”
While the VNA has long offered home rehabilitation services, those services previously required a homebound diagnosis.
The Home-Based Outpatient Rehabilitation Program makes those services available to patients like Lucas, who aren’t homebound but may have mobility challenges or other circumstances that make it difficult to visit an outpatient clinic.
“The goal of Home-Based Outpatient Rehabilitation is to meet patients where they are,” explained Richard Pascarelli, Director of Revenue Cycle & Business Operations for South Shore Health’s Home Care Division. “By expanding access to in-home therapies, we’re able to care for patients who otherwise may not receive the services they need.”
Using familiar surroundings to meet rehabilitation goals
For Lucas, Home-Based Outpatient Rehabilitation meant weekly visits from a VNA physical therapist, who worked with him to identify his goals, which were to rebuild stamina and walk without pain.
His physical therapist then designed a program to help Lucas meet those goals.
With his appointments happening at his home, Lucas was able to use familiar surroundings to aid in his rehabilitation.
“I think it helped a lot,” he said. “It made it easier to do the exercises during the week when the therapist wasn’t there because I had already done them on my own personal ‘equipment,’ whether my stairs or something else.”
These exercises, like crossing feet one behind the other while walking sideways along his kitchen counter, helped Lucas rebuild both strength and confidence in his own movements.
Under the watchful eye of his therapist, he quickly began to see results.
“I’ve definitely seen progress,” Lucas said. “I can tell by my breathing and the fact that I can walk better now.”
On the road to full strength – without leaving home
That progress continued with regular visits from his VNA therapist.
Tasks that had once seemed daunting, like walking up and down the driveway to get the mail, became more doable – all thanks to treatment he received in the comfort of his home.
“When it started, walking was a problem,” he explained. “Having rehab here, where I didn’t have to go out and walk from my car to an office, definitely helped. Now, it’s getting better.”
“Doing the exercises at home, using the same equipment all the time…it’s very beneficial,” he continued. “Particularly at the beginning, when you’re trying to get going and start making progress.”
As he gets closer to his recovery goals, Lucas credits his VNA therapist and Home-Based Outpatient Rehabilitation for what he’s achieved thus far.
Along with less pain while walking, those achievements include climbing a flight of stairs without trouble and walking short distances without his cane, though he continues to do his exercises in hopes of getting rid of the cane entirely.
While some may prefer to visit an outpatient facility or need more specialized treatment, Home-Based Outpatient Rehabilitation can be a great option for patients with mobility challenges or those who would prefer to stay home – like Lucas.
“I highly recommend it,” he said. “Overall, I think it’s just a fantastic program.”
