Benefits of In-Home Respiratory Therapy: Independence & Cost Savings

The care provided by in-home respiratory therapists allows breathing-compromised patients to live at home. This provides independence for the patient and costs significantly less than placement in a long-term care facility.

Function

• An in-home respiratory therapist can assist patients using oxygen, asthma nebulizers and aerosol medications as well as Bi-Pap and C-Pap machines.

Significance

• At-home care allows many patients who would otherwise need long-term care services to remain at home. This includes elderly patients with lung disease, patients with asthma or emphysema, cancer patients, those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and patients with degenerative diseases such as muscular dystrophy.

Benefits

• Home care can improve outcomes in respiratory patients. Patients often feel more comfortable in familiar surroundings, where they perform at higher levels and the care can be administered consistently on a long-term basis. Home care respiratory therapists help decrease the population of patients who remain in hospitals and rehabilitation units, keeping overhead lower and increasing patient happiness.