Minimize Hospital Readmissions Through Home Care Services
Whether you’ve recently left the hospital or it’s been a few years since your last surgery, patients understand that the initial days post-discharge are critical for a complete recovery. This holds especially true for seniors. The highest risk period for readmission remains within the first 30 days post-discharge.
Patients who return to the hospital shortly after discharge not only accrue more healthcare costs but also compromise their recovery. Hospitals can be breeding grounds for infections. Minimizing readmissions decreases the exposure to potential infections, especially for those with weakened immune systems. It’s important for seniors to do everything they can in order to avoid hospital readmission.
Thankfully, the senior home care provided by Visiting Angels Southlake can significantly lower the risk of hospital readmissions for older adults. Here are four compelling reasons why our home care services are crucial following a hospital discharge and how we’re making a difference.
Personalized Care
Visiting Angels Southlake believes that our home care services are pivotal in mitigating the factors that often lead to hospital readmission. We offer personalized care plans tailored to individual needs, including assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing. Although it’s common for seniors to receive home health services upon hospital discharge, home health often does not cover personalized care and may have limitations on the duration of visits depending on insurance plans. Visiting Angels Southlake is able to schedule home care based on when you need it. Our compassionate caregivers provide personalized attention, focusing on your recovery needs. They can assist you as you get ready for the day, ensuring you stay safe and feel your best. They can also keep you company when you need to rest but don’t want to be left alone.
Continuous Monitoring
Another advantage of receiving home care following a hospital discharge is the invaluable role played by our caregivers as an extra pair of observant eyes. Our professional caregivers are trained to detect any shifts in their client’s health. A sudden alteration in a client’s speech, behavior, cognition, or mobility could be a sign that there’s a potential post-hospital complication. Continuous or regular monitoring is crucial for seniors if they wish to avoid hospital readmission. Equally important is the support provided by our caregivers to ensure they are consistently participating in their home exercises. With permission, our caregivers can observe their clients’ physical therapy sessions and encourage their clients to complete their exercises.
Enhanced Nutrition
It’s common for seniors to lack strength, energy, and stamina following a hospital stay. It can be challenging enough for them to navigate dressing or bathing, let alone organize meals and venture out to shop for groceries. While some seniors may receive an occasional meal from family or friends, they can’t consistently rely on others to meet their nutritional needs. Others may have dietary restrictions after their discharge or simply lack the appetite to eat. Visiting Angels Southlake serves as a vital support system to prevent nutritional deficiencies during the crucial first 30 days post-discharge. Our caregivers can not only assist with meal planning and preparation but they can also take care of the grocery shopping on behalf of their clients. If their clients feel up for it, they can escort them to the grocery store, again ensuring their safety while allowing them to maintain their independence. Our caregivers are also happy to share a meal with their clients, encouraging them to get the right nutrition to support their recovery.
Fostering Independence
Lastly, the care and support we offer at Visiting Angels Southlake empowers our clients to regain their independence in managing their health. Our caregivers can provide transportation to various follow-up appointments and physical therapy sessions post-hospital discharge. This allows seniors to remain in control of their schedule and prevents them from having to schedule appointments around their family’s personal and work schedules. Our caregivers can also assist with other non-medical care tasks, such as light housekeeping, personal care, and meal planning and preparation, as mentioned above. Our home care services enable seniors to thrive at home and maintain their sense of autonomy without feeling like a burden to their families. Our holistic home care approach fosters an environment where seniors can flourish and quickly recover in the comfort of their own homes.
If you’re a senior who is currently in the hospital or have a planned hospital stay in the near future, Visiting Angels Southlake is ready to assist you. We can arrange care prior to a planned surgery so that you and your caregiver can become familiar with one another. In case of an unforeseen hospitalization, we can coordinate care with your family to ensure a seamless transition upon your discharge. As you regain strength and endurance, we can adjust your care plan to accommodate your evolving needs. Once you feel fully recovered, you can choose to continue with reduced care frequency or discontinue altogether. To learn more about our senior home care services, including our Ready-Set-Go Home services, please contact us today by calling 817-684-1996.