August 15, 2024
A recent study of elderly patients and hospital readmissions has shown that approximately 23% of patients end up back in the hospital due to a lack of home support following the initial admittance. This typically leads to errors in medication management, disregard for doctor’s orders, and potential injuries due to balance issues.
We always want what is best for our loved ones but don’t always know how to handle their needs. This is why seeking assistance for senior care is vitally important to your senior’s continued good health.
Home care can improve your senior’s recovery and everyday health. Understanding the benefits of such care could make this significant family decision a bit easier to handle.
Why Home Care is Important
So, why is home care the suggested solution for senior post-hospitalization care? Having someone there to oversee your loved one’s care once they return from the hospital helps them follow all the post-stay instructions.
Not only that, but home care also helps keep seniors motivated to keep their health in check. Being admitted into the hospital for any reason is disappointing and can cause anxiety.
Having someone to assist once your senior makes it home can help settle that uneasy feeling. It’s always easier to stay on track when you aren’t alone in your new normal.
Prevent Errors in Medication Management
A big issue for our senior loved ones once they are released from the hospital’s care is medications. Even patients who are as mentally sharp as can be will struggle with keeping up with a new medication regimen.
For some seniors, the challenge lies in their inability to remember when or if they’ve taken their prescribed medications. With home care, caregivers can keep track of medications and ensure your loved one is taking what they are supposed to be taking when they are supposed to be taking it.
Having someone provide reminders to take medications as recommended immediately after being released allows for a smoother transition home, especially for seniors who are living independently.
Following Doctor’s Instructions for Post-Hospitalization Care
While struggling to follow a doctor’s directions isn’t exclusive to seniors, the issue does make it more likely that your loved one will be readmitted to the hospital. Doctors give instructions on what your loved one’s limitations are after being ill or what nutritional changes your loved one needs to make.
Preventative care includes paying attention to the doctor’s instructions, which can cause anxiety in some folks. These requests allow the continued good health of your senior no matter the circumstances or health challenges they experienced. However, it can feel overwhelming if the senior lives alone or is fully responsible for their care.
Home care will allow these instructions to be enacted as requested. Having a caregiver around to lend a helping hand will take the burden off your senior and enable them to focus on their recovery and mental health instead.
Making the Environment Safe For Balance
A significant cause of hospital readmissions is seniors trying to move around their homes as if they hadn’t been ill. This can lead to falling because their center of gravity and balance are off, whether because of medications or still recovering from procedures or previous injuries.
With home care, you can rely on a trained caregiver to assess your loved one’s home before they return. This can give you a picture of what hazards need to be dealt with and how the home can be rearranged to make altered mobility more accessible.
Having the home ready for your senior’s adjusted needs post-hospital stay will make the transition seamless and smooth. Your loved one won’t have to feel like their lives have changed too much and still feel independent enough to move about within their comfort zone.
Ensuring Proper Nutrition and Daily Care
Another primary concern once seniors are released from a hospital stay is ensuring their daily routines, self-care, and eating habits aren’t altered to the point of concern. Whether it’s because your loved one has a diet change per their doctor’s instructions or their mobility is compromised due to their stay, having another set of hands around to assist could be extremely beneficial.
A home care plan that includes looking after your senior’s nutritional and daily care needs is vital to ensuring they keep a positive mindset about their recovery and keep their chances of ending up back at the hospital for further care at a low percentage. While following doctor’s instructions and taking proper medications are essential, those aren’t enough if your loved one’s health isn’t being kept in check.
Accessible Is Your Helping Hand
Our caregivers have been trained in many areas related to senior care. We know how challenging hospital stays can be for families, especially if you aren’t able to give yourself entirely to their recovery.
Allow our caregivers to lend a hand in your loved one’s post-hospital recovery. Our services range from medication management to transitional/recovery care to full-time in-home assistance. Whatever your family needs, we provide peace of mind.
