Transitioning home after being in the hospital. The transition from the hospital to home is a critical time for seniors in how they will fully recover. Seniors can experience complications once home from the hospital, which may end them back into the hospital. Plus there will probably be new medications that they need to take, eating a healthy well-balanced diet will be important for their recovery, and they may be weak from the hospital stay which can make them a fall risk. These are just examples of why your loved one should not be left alone as soon as they are discharged from the hospital. If you and family members are not able to be there at all times, having a caregiver to fill in when family can’t be there is a great way to keep your loved one safe. Below are ways a caregiver can provide support and care for your loved one:
Prepare the Home for Your Loved Ones Return
Returning home can be stressful on a senior and he/she does not need added stress by returning to a cluttered home. A caregiver can have the home clean and clutter free before your loved one arrives. This includes conducting a safety check to make sure there are not any tripping hazards in the home and to assist the family in identifying safety measures that could be added to keep your loved one safe, like adding grip bars in the bathroom. Once the senior is home, the caregiver can continue with the needed housekeeping duties.
Medication Management
Seniors may have medication changes and/or medications added, that is a lot to deal with when trying to recovery from an illness. A caregiver can ensure that your loved one is taking the correct medication at the right time, while providing medication reminders. Making sure your loved one stays on schedule with their medications and takes the right dose can avoid medical emergencies like overdosing, taking the wrong medication, or skipping medications altogether. All of which can lead your loved one back into the hospital.
Meal Preparation
Eating nutritious meals plays a part in your loved ones recovery, making sure that he/she is eating healthy and following any diet restrictions. After a hospital stay, a senior may not be able to cook for themselves or just may not have the energy to do so. A caregiver can cook healthy meals following the diet that a doctor has recommended and ensure that he/she is drinking enough fluids.
Errands
A caregiver can do all the needed errands like grocery shopping and picking up prescriptions. This will allow the senior to stay home and relax, plus remove the extra running around from the family. This will enable the family just to enjoy the company of their loved one when they visit.
Assist with Personal Care
If your loved one needs assistance with personal care, a caregiver can help with tasks like bathing, dressing, brushing teeth, toileting, etc. Once discharged from the hospital, a senior may be too weak to walk alone and a caregiver can provide assistance to prevent him/her from falling.
Physical Therapy
Once released from a hospital or rehabilitation facility, your loved one may have exercises that they need to do at home to rebuild their strength, balance, and regain range of motion. Caregivers can provide assistance to seniors to encourage them to follow their exercise program. Also, caregivers can provide transportation to their physical therapy appointments.
Companionship
Recovering after a hospital visit can be a long process and seniors can feel isolated and become lonely. Caregivers can provide companionship and socialization. This can speed up the recovery process, having the needed emotional support as he/she recovers.
Discharge Planning
It is important to get every detail of care needed from the discharge planner when your loved one is being released from the hospital, this can be an overwhelming amount of information. Our transition team can assist you and your loved one’s discharge from the hospital. Having transitional support is proven to lower the chance of a hospital readmission and improve your loved one’s recovery time. Our transition coordinator is able to work collaboratively with the discharge planner to establish a plan of care that addresses your loved one’s key recovery needs as well as coordinate additional services, medication regimes, equipment or even do a home safety check of the environment.
Home care services provided by a compassionate caregiver can reduce the risk of a hospital readmission, plus keep your loved one safe and happy at home. Call Us Today to learn more about our Transition Services (480) 618-5995.