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I still remember the day that I received the phone call that my father had been admitted to the hospital. The sheer panic and fear for his life, and wondering what comes next to make sure that he is safe and healthy. Unfortunately, so many of us have to act quickly, figure out the next steps, and stay positive in the situation where there tends to be a lot of uncertainty and lack of clarity.
Here are the basics we identified in how to prepare for the next steps:
Before your loved one discharges home, it is important to understand the different care options available. It is important to be aware that your loved one may need some additional help and it may be time to consider the options.
The level of care needed to assist your loved one may impact your decision for long-term care solutions. One of the unique things about Fedelta Home Care is that we can provide you support and advice when you are unsure about the level of care needed.
Even if you are hesitating to choose home care, we offer free home care assessments where we can walk you through the care needs for your loved one. We can meet you at the hospital before the discharge to create this care plan. This can help you feel at ease and assist you in your decision-making process.
Before you leave the hospital, talk to a nurse or a doctor about planning a follow-up appointment in a week with your loved one’s main doctor. Make sure that the doctor is up-to-date on your loved one’s condition as well as where the hospital feels they should see improvement in the next week. Having an appointment on the schedule can help you feel at ease that someone can check in to make sure they are doing better.
Before you let your loved one get sent home from the hospital, be sure to ask to speak with a discharge planner so that you can feel equipped and prepared for your loved one to go home. A discharge plan should cover symptoms and signs that should be monitored, as well as what to do if you encounter any complications once home. Be sure to discuss the concerns you are having and any limitations you may have to care for your loved one, as well as if their home is suitable for them to move home.
Medications needed should have been discussed in the discharge plan; however, it is important to have a list of all the medications that your loved one needs to be taking once they leave the hospital. Be sure to have the list and know which prescriptions need to be filled immediately. It would be wise to make sure that there is a medication plan to keep your loved one safe. Here is a recent post explaining the importance of managing medications.
One of the biggest challenges when we walk into a time-sensitive situation is making sure that we step back, process the situation, and gather all the important details. In order to make sure that our loved one is receiving the proper care and has a good long-term solution in place, we need to act as their guide to a healthier lifestyle.
If you need to discuss your options with someone or express your concerns with your loved one leaving the hospital, we want to encourage you to reach out to our care team. If you are unsure about home care, or how to choose a home care company, we have a great checklist available to you to make sure you understand the services you are receiving from the home care company you choose.
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