VISITING ANGELS CENTRAL COAST IN CALIFORNIA 831-430-0616
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Transitional Senior Care Services: A Solution to Preventing Hospital Readmission

Transitional Senior Care Services: A Solution to Preventing Hospital Readmission

Having the right in-home senior care services in place before your loved one is discharged from the hospital can make the recovery process safer and easier for your family

When a senior loved one is hospitalized, many families are eager to start making plans and preparations for their discharge, even before a date is announced. While the notion of a loved one’s recovery is something to look forward to, it is important to know the risks of readmission and how to prevent them to help your aging family member successfully restore their health at home.

Hospital Readmission Rates

Readmission of elderly patients is much more common than you might think. According to some estimates, 23% of adults over the age of 65 are readmitted to a hospital within the first 4 weeks after their discharge. A return to the hospital comes with the risk of further medical complications and a much slower recovery rate. And not to mention costly hospital bills that threaten to deplete the family budget.

On the other hand, with a good recovery care plan in place, more than half of these re-admissions can be avoided altogether.

Common Risk Factors for Readmission

There are some risk factors that may make a hospital re-admission more likely for seniors. The most common risks for a second admission include:

  • Extended hospital stay
  • Isolation
  • Lack of family support
  • Cognitive decline and dementia
  • Recurring falls

By recognizing these risk factors in your loved one, you can take the proper steps to prevent re-admission.

The Importance of Transitional Care

At the hospital, your loved one’s doctor and medical care team will take action to support your family during discharge. However, it is ultimately up to you and your loved one to decide how to move forward once they arrive home.

Here is what you can do to prepare and help while your Mom or Dad is still at the hospital:

  • Inform yourself about the discharge plan as much as you can even before the date is announced
  • Ensure the doctor’s directions are straightforward and easily understandable to your parent
  • Before your loved one is out, make certain that all follow-ups are scheduled in advance
  • Consult with professional senior care services in your area and learn more about your transitional care options

It is likely that your loved one will need some assistance at home until they get back to their usual daily routine. Problems often occur when elderly patients and family caregivers are unable to correctly follow the doctor’s recovery plan. That is why so many families choose to schedule transitional senior care services from trained professionals.

Ready-Set-Go Home

Adhering to a discharge plan may be challenging for both the patient and primary caregiver, especially for those with little or no experience with such matters.  At Visiting Angels, we provide quality transitional senior care services and help prevent hospital re-admissions through our Ready-Set-Go Home program.

We can assist with coordination and discharge plans, assess your loved one’s unique needs and provide customized, non-medical care at home to support your family.

Call our office in Scotts Valley, CA today to learn more about transitional care and other senior care services from Visiting Angels. We serve families throughout Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties in California and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

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