ABSTRACT
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the fastest growing neurological disease worldwide with more than 8.5 million people diagnosed. Assistive technologies for people with PD support the user to maximize independence. The purpose of this integrative literature review was to critique and synthesize the literature on the impact of assistive technologies on quality of life of home-dwelling individuals with PD. A literature search for studies on assistive technologies for people with PD with a primary outcome measure of quality of life was conducted. Of 156 articles screened for eligibility, 6 met selection criteria, including 4 quantitative studies, 1 qualitative study, and 1 mixed-method. Levels of evidence were scored as a percentage of quality criteria met, from 60% to 100% using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Using home monitoring devices was associated with significant improvements in walking, especially during freezing of gait. Evidence supports the use of assistive technologies including voice-activated technology, home automation, and home monitoring devices. Further research is needed to determine the effect of assistive technology on quality of life.
Subject(s)
Gait Disorders, Neurologic , Parkinson Disease , Self-Help Devices , Humans , Quality of Life , WalkingABSTRACT
The purpose of the Triple Aim is to improve population health, reduce healthcare costs, and improve the patient experience. These goals-to reduce cost while improving health outcomes and patient experiences have shifted utilization of services from other postacute care settings to the home. The purpose of this perspective article is to discuss how home healthcare services, and home physical therapy (PT) specifically, provide value to patients, caregivers, and payers to meet the goals of the Triple Aim. This article will substantiate the value of home PT and provide healthcare professionals with evidence-based information on the value of home PT.
Subject(s)
Home Care Services , Physical Therapy Modalities , Activities of Daily Living , Cost Control , Health Services Needs and Demand , Humans , Patient Satisfaction , Quality Improvement , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
When discussing hospice care with physical therapy (PT) students, other healthcare professionals, patients, and families, they often ask: What do you do with a hospice patient? What goals can they actually achieve? What rehab potential do they actually have? My answer is: What does the patient want to be able to do? How does he or she want to improve his or her mobility? Hospice PT is all about the quality of the end of a patient's life.
Subject(s)
Professional-Patient Relations , Quality of Life , Terminal Care/methods , Female , Hospice Care/organization & administration , Humans , Male , Patient-Centered Care/organization & administration , Physical Therapists/educationABSTRACT
An electronic survey of the home health (HH) section members of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) found that physical therapists (PTs) are attracted to HH for flexible work hours, the ability to work one on one with a patient, the functional setting, and salary, in that order. They continue to practice in HH because they take pride in their work, the relationships they have with their patients/caregivers, their ability to make autonomous work decisions, their control over their schedule, the relationships they have within the home health agency (HHA), salary, the relationships they have with peers, their benefits, and their ability to handle documentation demands, in that order.
