VISITING ANGELS CENTRAL COAST IN CALIFORNIA 831-430-0616
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How Senior Care from Visiting Angels Central Coasts Eases Hospital Transitions for Seniors in California’s Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties

Our senior care services help make the transition from the hospital back home less stressful for seniors and families in Scotts Valley, Watsonville, Carmel, Aptos, Santa Cruz, Marina and nearby cities in California

Hospital stays can be challenging, especially for older adults. 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.

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

Ask Questions During the 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 during the discharge process and consider professional home care services from Visiting Angels Central Coast 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 your loved one’s diagnosis and what kind of care they received in the hospital. Learn which symptoms will require follow-up professional medical care.
  • 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. Count on Visiting Angels Central Coast for expert professional home care services that can make the return home easier for your loved one.
  • 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, ask questions and review them with the staff. Make copies so both you and your loved one have the same information.

Consider In-Home Senior Care with Visiting Angels Central Coast

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 Central Coast. Through this program, we help seniors in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties transition from hospital to home safely.

Our experienced senior care providers offer:

  • Care when your loved one needs it most, from short-term visits to 24-hour home 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 our senior care services can help your loved one return home from the hospital and reduce the likelihood of readmission, call Visiting Angels Central Coast at 831-430-0616.

Serving Scotts Valley, Watsonville, Marina, Carmel, Santa Cruz, Aptos, Salinas, and throughout Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties in California

Visiting Angels CENTRAL COAST IN CALIFORNIA
5274 Scotts Valley Dr #102
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Phone: 831-430-0616
Fax: 831-430-0612
HCO #444700002

Serving Scotts Valley, Watsonville, Marina, Carmel, Santa Cruz, Aptos, Salinas, and throughout Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties in California

Visiting Angels CENTRAL COAST IN CALIFORNIA
5274 Scotts Valley Dr #102
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Phone: 831-430-0616
Fax: 831-430-0612
HCO #444700002