Physical Therapy Evaluation Tool (PEAT) 1 Practice Exam

Coordinated discharge planning with the family is essential when there are barriers to instruction and safe home care. Bringing in social services to arrange a team and family meeting ensures all key players—therapy staff, nursing, social work, and the family—can jointly assess the home environment, caregiver burden, and available resources. This multidisciplinary discussion helps identify and address obstacles, finalize a safe plan for transfers, bed mobility, and safety precautions, and determine if in-home services or equipment are needed. Without this collaborative approach, instructions to the patient or a generic home program may not translate into safe, practical care at home, and a formal plan may fail to address the family’s concerns or limitations. Therefore, initiating a team meeting with the family through social services is the most appropriate next step.