VISITING ANGELS ANNAPOLIS, MD 410-505-5141
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How Can Senior Care from Visiting Angels Ease Hospital Transitions for Older Adults in Annapolis, MD and Nearby Cities?

Our personalized senior care services make hospital transitions less stressful for elderly adults in Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Millersville, Pasadena, Crownsville, Arnold, Severna Park and surrounding areas in Maryland

Hospital stays can be challenging, especially for the elderly. Whether it’s an overnight visit or an extended stay, time away from the comforts of home can diminish a senior’s sense of normalcy and well-being. The last thing seniors want is to return to the hospital because it can potentially take away their independence.

Unfortunately, roughly 20 percent of seniors on Medicare are readmitted within 30 days of a hospital discharge due to preventable factors such as:

  • Medication issues
  • Falls and accidents
  • Missed medical appointments
  • Disregarding diet recommendations

What Should You Ask During Your Loved One’s Hospital Discharge?

The hospital discharge process can happen quickly. You may have waited for hours to leave and suddenly you’re walking down the hospital corridor heading for your car with new prescriptions to fill and your uneasy loved one in a wheelchair. Getting clear instructions before you leave can help reduce the odds of a hospital readmission.

Learn what questions to ask and consider professional home care services from Visiting Angels Annapolis to assist in your loved one’s transition.

  • What should I know about my loved one’s condition?
    Request information from the hospital staff. Understand their diagnosis and what kind of care they received in the hospital. Learn which symptoms will require follow-up from a medical professional.
  • Are there medication changes?
    Medication errors are the main cause of readmittance to the hospital. Ask for a list of prescribed medications. Make sure you understand the dosages and recommended times. Also, confirm which medications your loved one should no longer take.
  • Are follow-up appointments scheduled?
    Get a list of upcoming medical appointments and mark them on your calendar. Follow-up appointments will ensure recovery is on track and prevent a return trip to the hospital. If possible, attend these appointments with your loved one.
  • What additional support is needed?
    Many seniors need non-medical support, such as help with mobility, personal hygiene or light housekeeping. Ask hospital staff what kind of in-home senior care they recommend for your loved one. Also, find out what tasks they should be able to do on their own. Failure to accomplish these tasks could be a sign of worsening health. If your loved one is struggling with everyday tasks once they’ve been discharged, count on Visiting Angels Annapolis for expert professional home care services.
  • Request written, step-by-step discharge instructions.
    Make sure to get clear, easy-to-understand documented instructions from the hospital. If you don’t understand the instructions, review them with the staff. Make copies so both you and your loved one have the same information.

How Can Senior Care from Visiting Angels Annapolis Help My Loved One?

Many family caregivers underestimate the support needed at home for seniors to continue recovering. Although, with proper support and planning, you can reduce the risk of re-hospitalization. For extra assistance, consider the Ready-Set-Go Home program from Visiting Angels Annapolis, which helps seniors transition from hospital to home safely.

Our experienced senior care providers offer:

  • In-home care when your loved one needs it most, from hourly short-term care to 24-hour care
  • Medication reminders and pharmacy pickups
  • Monitoring and reporting changes in health condition
  • Scheduling and attending medical appointments
  • Grocery shopping and nutritious meal preparation

If you’d like to learn how senior care from Visiting Angels Annapolis can help your loved one, call our Millersville, MD office at 410-505-5141.

Serving Northern Anne Arundel County in Maryland, including Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Millersville, Pasadena, Crownsville, Arnold and Severna Park

Visiting Angels ANNAPOLIS, MD
8338 Veterans Hwy #103A
Millersville, MD 21108
Phone: 410-505-5141
Fax: 410-549-2909

Serving Northern Anne Arundel County in Maryland, including Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Millersville, Pasadena, Crownsville, Arnold and Severna Park

Visiting Angels ANNAPOLIS, MD
8338 Veterans Hwy #103A
Millersville, MD 21108
Phone: 410-505-5141
Fax: 410-549-2909