Returning home after a stay in the hospital can present various challenges for seniors. Ideally, the goal is to make it back home without experiencing any setbacks that may result in a return trip to the infirmary. The best approach to help avoid complications is to make the transition smooth with good preparation and planning.
Preparation Assistance
With the various health concerns and increased risks that often accompany older age, many seniors spend time in the hospital for care and supervision. Following a hospital stay, returning home inspires incredibly wonderful and comforting thoughts mixed with fear and anxiety without an effective discharge plan. It can be beneficial to have assistance arranging everything required to keep up proper care for optimal healing and health when arriving home. Home caregivers are available every step of the way to make sure all your bases are covered, and the home is well prepared for reception.
Avoiding a Return Visit
A well-planned transitionary period can make a big difference in decreasing the chances of returning to the hospital. Ensuring everything is in order ahead of time helps keep seniors safe, happy, and well-connected to the necessary resources and support systems.
Getting Sorted
It can be overwhelming for family caregivers and loved ones assisting seniors to think about everything that needs doing when preparing for a return from the hospital.
Support and assistance are always available from services offered by Promyse Home Care. Having professional help to address questions and concerns and figure out all the logistics of care and support can lighten some of the load and make things more manageable.
Make Lists
Keeping a running list of questions and concerns as you think of them can be helpful so everything is remembered and noticed. Talking to healthcare professionals can be helpful in determining what needs to be done to best tend to seniors’ health and well-being once they are back in their home environment.
Checklist for the Transition from Hospital to Home
Before heading home, there are some basic but essential things to consider to arrange for a successful transition:
- Home Medical Equipment: Ensuring all the necessary supplies and equipment are already waiting at the house upon arrival can help make the transition more seamless. Make arrangements beforehand to pick up or deliver devices that can help seniors feel more comfortable and safe at home post-hospital stay. It is one less thing to worry about when settling back at home.
- Medications: Before being discharged from the hospital, discuss medication management and what is required at home. It is important to understand what medications are required, dosage, administration, and when they should be taken. Getting this taken care of before leaving the hospital means there are less likely to be any unforeseen complications in trying to figure it all out at home. It is also essential to plan for prescription refills so seniors always have the needed medications.
- Appointments: There are often follow-up appointments with healthcare professionals required after a hospital visit to check on things and monitor any pertinent developments. With all the hustle and bustle of the transition back to the house, it can be easy to forget to schedule these appointments, so it is important to list any upcoming visits in a system that will ensure they are remembered. Make sure always to have the contact information for healthcare professionals readily available to quickly clarify the timing of appointments and anything else required for the appointments themselves.
- Expectations: When it comes to seniors’ health, there can be a lot of ups and downs in the recovery process following time spent in the hospital. A conversation with healthcare professionals before being released helps provide a better understanding of what to anticipate in the days and weeks to follow. Remaining vigilant and aware while having a base understanding of what should and should not be a normal part of the process can help with healing and addressing problems immediately should any issues arise.
Returning to the safety and comfort of home is often a great source of solace for seniors following time spent in the hospital. The transition itself can be stressful, but some planning and preparation can make all the difference in setting seniors up for a successful and comfortable recovery.
