How Can Home Health Care Services from Visiting Angels Ease Hospital Transitions for Seniors in McKinney, TX and Surrounding Areas?
Our home health care services make it easier for seniors in McKinney, Allen, Frisco, Prosper and Nearby Cities in Collin County, TX to return home after being discharged from the hospital
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
What Should I Ask When My Loved One Gets Discharged?
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. Get clear instructions before you leave to reduce the odds of hospital readmission.
Learn which questions to ask and consider home health care services from Visiting Angels McKinney to assist in your loved one’s transition.
- What should I know about my loved one’s condition?
Request information about your loved one’s diagnosis 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. You should 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 home health care services they recommend for your loved one. Also, find out what tasks they should be able to do on their own. Failure to do these tasks could be a sign of worsening health. If your loved one is struggling with completing daily tasks when they return home, consider professional home care services from Visiting Angels McKinney. - 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 Our Home Health Care Services Can Help Your 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 enrolling in the Ready-Set-Go Home program from Visiting Angels McKinney, which helps seniors throughout Collin County transition from hospital to home safely.
Our experienced in-home caregivers offer:
- In-home care when needed, including hourly, weekends, holidays, overnight and 24/7
- 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 home health care services can help your loved one recover at home, contact Visiting Angels McKinney at 214-491-1999.