Washington (206) 362-2366
Oregon (503) 252-8499
When moving home from the hospital or a skilled nursing facility, there are a lot of potential risks. Many seniors are susceptible to falls, medication mismanagement, and neglecting dietary requirements. It’s important to develop a care plan to ensure the patient returns home safely and is doing everything they can to heal. This blog post will discuss the importance of after-hospital care and how to plan for it.
Whether you or a loved one is being discharged from the hospital, the most important part is to recover quickly. Recovering from a procedure is easier said than done as multiple parts go into it. What kind of medication is involved? What type of therapy is involved? How mobile is the individual? These are just some of the questions that need to be considered.
With a caregiver at home, whether a family member or a paid professional, they can help with everything mentioned above. For example, we often help folks who had surgery on their knee, hip, back, etc. A caregiver can help transfer the individual in and out of bed, help them shower, help them dress, and clean the house.
We also help clients who require strict diets during their recovery. Caregivers can help you maintain the diet and hold you accountable. They could also grocery shop and meal prep so less work is on your plate.
Medication assistance is another big task we support post-hospital care clients. Caregivers can help you pick up medication and remind you when to take it at the appropriate time.
Another important part of recovery and often overlooked is personal care. It is essential to maintain proper hygiene through regular bathing, grooming, and more, to prevent illness. It’s easy to focus on recovering from the procedure but keeping up with your regular hygiene is just as important. Caregivers can help your loved ones care for their bodies and ensure their well-being.
Did you know that according to Aging Care, almost 1/5 of seniors are re-hospitalized within 30 days of being discharged? Not only is a visit to the hospital a burden, it can be costly. The average cost per readmission is $15,200! You improve your chances of a speedier recovery with the proper care and support around you. Whether you have a strict recovery plan from your doctor or not, get extra support to ensure for a safe recovery and prevent another visit to the hospital.
Certain operations require an individual to be present at the hospital to ensure a smooth discharge. This is most common when a procedure involves sedation which may hinder the ability to drive. Doctors and nurses will often give you this information ahead of time so you can plan accordingly.
You may be thinking, won’t a cab or an Uber suffice? Hospitals often require a specific individual responsible for getting the patient home safely. A cab, Uber, or bus does not fit that requirement. Home care agencies can be a great resource especially if a family member is not available to transport you back home. Most agencies will offer a short-term service which typically includes a ride home from the hospital, a safe transfer into the home, and monitoring. Some procedures may require 24-hour monitoring post-discharge so be sure to clarify how long the doctor recommends.
While your hospital may provide you with a discharge planning template or plan, we encourage you to customize your plan to your specific situation. There is no cookie-cutter way to discharge safely and return home because there are so many variables.
Creating a personalized care plan leads to a reduction in hospital length of stay and reduces readmission rates. Be sure to think through every detail to ensure you return home safely and set yourself or your loved one up for success.
If you are looking for after hospital care in the Pacific Northwest, we may be able to help! At Fedelta, we believe that living happily, healthfully, and independently is not only possible but practical. Our team is well-experienced in supporting individuals with after hospital home care to ensure safe and speedy recovery.
