The Importance of Transitional Care for Seniors Returning Home from the Hospital

Professional home caregivers can offer the essential support seniors need to stick to their recovery plan, manage medications, and get to follow-up appointments after a hospital stay

When your parent ends up in the hospital, it is normal to be concerned that their senior years will turn into a series of re-admissions. Of course, you want them to be healthy, independent and able to age at home, but a hospital admission can be just the beginning of various health issues.

The fact that hospital stays can be expensive and can expose your loved one to germs and infection just makes preventing hospital readmission even more necessary. One of the ways you can ensure your loved one’s safety and well-being is to hire professional home care services.

Risk Factors for Readmission

There are many factors that can increase one’s chances of readmission, such as socioeconomic status, chronic illnesses, and mental disability. The other factors that can enhance the likelihood of readmission are a previous hospital admission, widowhood, social isolation, lack of family support, living in a nursing home, medications, mental problems, cognitive disability, frequent falls and incontinence.

Although there are many causes of readmission rates, there are several things you can do to keep your parent from spending more time in a hospital.

The Importance of Transitional Care

Even though hospitals support families during the discharge process, once your parent is home again you are on your own. You will need to decide what level of care your loved one needs, which can be quite difficult.

Even if your parent has a post-discharge care plan, following it can be a challenge, especially if you cannot be there for your loved one at all times. This is where our professional home care services can be of assistance.

How Transitional Care Helps

There are a few ways you can help your loved one. The first one is getting acquainted with their discharge plan before they are even ready to go home. This way you will be able to do all the preparations on time and plan a safe discharge for your loved one.

You can also make sure that the instructions your parent has received are straightforward and easy. Making sure that all of the important follow-up appointments are scheduled is also an important step.

However, no matter how much you prepare and what resources are available, your loved one will need a lot of help in order to get back on their feet. Our professional home care providers can ensure your parent’s safe recovery and help them get back into their routine.

Ready-Set-Go Home

At Visiting Angels we have designed the Ready-Set-Go Home program for seniors who are returning home from a hospital. Our professional home care services include exceptional non-medical transitional care and coordination during discharge.

This program begins at the hospital, where our professional home care providers will learn about your parent’s needs and limitations. At home they can assist your parent with various daily tasks and provide support, therefore reducing their chances of readmission. At the same time our staff members will help you manage different aspects of hospital discharge.

If you wish to know more about our professional home care services, contact our office in Littleton, CO.