Some of the highest chances of injury and hospitalization happen in the period immediately following discharge from a hospital. This recovery period is a delicate time, when older adults are most vulnerable. With the right support and care, you can avoid injuries, complications, and rehospitalization. Visiting Angels of Milford offers transitional care services designed to support individuals during this critical time.
Transitional care in Milford, MA, is your answer to seniors recovering safely in the comfort and familiarity of their own home. Our goal is to reduce stress for seniors recovering from hospitalization, support healing, and prevent readmissions by offering personalized care plans that aid in the transition between hospital and home.
If you or a loved one is preparing for discharge, give us a call now at 508-473-4300 to learn how we can help.
Contact Us Online to Schedule a FREE In-Home Consultation
Why Hospital Readmissions Occur
While there are a plethora of reasons why hospital readmissions occur, they are particularly prevalent among seniors. In fact, on average, 1 in 5 Medicare beneficiaries who are discharged from the hospital are readmitted within 30 days. The four major factors that contribute to hospital readmission among seniors include:
Difficulty Adjusting to New Injury or Illness
Dealing with a new injury or illness can make it difficult for seniors to take care of themselves the way they did before. Having a home caregiver during this time can make all the difference in helping them get back to normal or adjusting to a new normal.
Many seniors leave for home from the hospital feeling incredibly drained and exhausted. This may result in them not caring for themselves as they should or not complying with the discharge instructions. A home caregiver can help ensure that discharge instructions are being followed.
Forgetting to Take Medication
Seniors dealing with memory issues can make sticking to a medication schedule difficult. A home caregiver can help with medication reminders to make sure they stay on the right track.
Failure to Follow Up
Attending follow-up appointments is crucial to recovery. A home caregiver can provide reminders, mobility assistance, and safe transportation to make sure that these important appointments are attended.
How Personalized Transitional Care Can Prevent Rehospitalization
Recovery from an illness or injury looks different for everyone. We’re capable of tailoring care plans to each individual’s conditions, needs, and goals through assistance with mobility, medication reminders, and providing assistance getting to and from follow-up care appointments.
All plans start with an in-home consultation. We will assess the safety of the environment, learn preferences for a daily routine, and take note of medical instructions to build the perfect plan that best supports healing and comfort.
The dedicated transitional care services provided by the caregivers at Visiting Angels Milford are designed to help local seniors avoid hospital readmission and recover in the peace, comfort, and privacy of their own homes.
In addition to helping with personal care needs such as help with bathing, dressing and grooming, our transitional care services can help seniors transition from being hospitalized to getting back to their normal routine. We do this by:
- Getting to know your loved one while they are still in the hospital
- Coordinating with the hospital staff prior to discharge
- Providing medication reminders and ensuring that aftercare instructions are followed
- Preparing meals and making sure that your loved one stays hydrated
- Helping with household chores to maintain a safe and clean environment
- Providing mobility assistance and transportation to and from follow-up appointments
- Offering emotional support and companionship to encourage a positive mindset
At Visiting Angels, our goal is to provide your loved one with the post-hospital care they need in order to help them rest and recover and to prevent them from being readmitted for failing to follow doctor’s orders. You and your family will also benefit from the peace of mind of knowing that your loved one is being cared for while recovering in the comfort of their home.
How We Personalize Our Transitional Care
Visiting Angels is here to help overcome the challenges of transitional care with our compassionate and confident caregivers. Seniors can expect to feel tired, disoriented, and unsure about themselves in the days or weeks following their return home from the hospital. We’re proud to help our clients manage this transition so as to avoid unnecessary complications.
A client recovering from a viral or bacterial illness could benefit from meal preparation, medication reminders, light housework, and assistance with mobility and personal care. A senior recovering from surgery would not just benefit, but require higher levels of assistance, and include possible travel to and from follow-up appointments. Whatever the need is, our caregivers are there to provide supportive, respectful, one-on-one care that helps your loved one regain a sense of normalcy.
Additional Services to Support Transitional Care
Transitional care is a comprehensive service that complements several other services to ensure we create the ideal personal care plan for our clients.
Personal and Companion Care
As mentioned above, basic activities become difficult for some who are recovering from an injury. The personal care for seniors that we offer is assistance with daily needs such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting. Companion care is where we provide emotional support and friendship, and help to combat loneliness during the sensitive recovery period.
Fall Prevention and 24-Hour Home Care
Falls are one of the biggest risks after discharge, and no one wants to be rehospitalized over something that could have been prevented. Our fall prevention program is designed to minimize the hazards typically found at home. Kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms are all high-risk areas because they require more movement to complete tasks. Our caregivers will assess and make recommendations on how to create the safest environment possible. This could even include recommending 24-hour home care, where we ensure round-the-clock support to prevent nighttime falls, manage medications, and respond quickly to changing needs.
Respite Care
We don’t just provide care for seniors; we also keep the families in mind by offering respite care to those who have taken on the responsibility of caring for their loved one. Respite care allows us to temporarily step in when you need us, for a few hours a day or for longer periods of time, so that family caregivers may also take care of themselves without leaving their loved one without care.
Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Palliative Care
Seniors recovering from surgery or illness may also be managing chronic conditions. Our palliative care services focus on comfort, emotional support, and quality of life. Dementia care and Alzheimer’s care require different adjustments to ensure our clients are being cared for, trust that Visiting Angels of Milford will deliver the compassionate care they need.
Building Trust Through Consistent Caregiving
Healing with a friend happens more easily than with a stranger. Visiting Angels are carefully selected to match the needs of our clients to make sure that what you’re receiving is someone you can grow to call a friend. We take into consideration the needs, differing personalities, and preferences of seniors to do our best at fostering meaningful and friendly relationships.
Our caregivers are thoroughly vetted, trained, and experienced, but most importantly, they’re chosen for being outgoing and passionate. Whether it’s helping with a daily routine or just simply offering a listening ear, recovery will feel a lot less isolating and more manageable with a Visiting Angel around.
Serving Seniors in Milford and Surrounding Areas
Our traditional care services are available in Milford, Blackstone, Holliston, Hopkinton, Mendon, Millville, Northbridge, South Grafton, Upton, Uxbridge, Whitinsville, and the surrounding areas.
Request a Free Consultation for Transitional Care Today
If your loved one is preparing to come home from the hospital or rehab, the right care during this transition makes all the difference. To get started, call 508-473-4300 or fill out our online contact form. We’ll schedule a free consultation to better understand your loved one’s needs so that we may create a customized plan that supports their health, independence, and peace of mind.
Serving Milford, MA and the Surrounding Areas
Visiting Angels
MILFORD, MA
208 Main St #114 Milford, MA 01757
Phone: 508-473-4300
Fax: 508-764-6725