TRANSITIONING FROM HOSPITAL TO HOME WITH OUR READY, SET, GO HOME PROGRAM
Reducing hospital re-admissions might become a reality if instead of sending patients, especially Seniors, back to their homes all alone with confusing instructions and to-do lists, there was a “Angel” to watch over them! A caregiver or companion from Visiting Angels can guide a client through the transition from hospital to home and healthy again with our innovative “Ready, Set, Go Home!” Program.
Why do re-admissions occur so often? Some obvious reasons for Seniors are:
- Difficulty managing a disease or illness alone at home or with an elderly spouse, underestimating the level of assistance needed;
- Exhaustion due to disrupted sleep and eating schedules while in the hospital, or back at home;
- Poor understanding of, or lack of follow-through with discharge instructions;
- Lack of adherence to medication regimen - not taking prescriptions at the appropriate time, missing doses, or discontinue the taking meds altogether;
- Can’t make it to follow up physician appointments post discharge;
- There is a balance issue and a fall risk in the home, requiring home safety check and supervision;
- Patient is cognitively impaired, or has no family or friends nearby, and requires assistance.
Visiting Angels has an approach that works:
- At the hospital – We collaborate with the discharge planner to help ensure success at home. We review with the client pertinent questions regarding symptoms to report, times and dates of physician follow up appointments or therapy appointments, medications and their proper administration, special dietary needs, medical equipment needs, etc. When there is cognitive impairment, we partner with the family members as well.
- At the client’s home – Our caregivers are trained to understand the importance of reporting changes in condition promptly, or medication reactions, so any problems can be addressed as early as possible. In addition to hands on care and assistance with the ADLs, our CNAs and HHAs facilitate medication and equipment delivery, prepare meals or arrange for food delivery services, offer medication and appointment reminders, help with housekeeping, encourage light exercise when appropriate, provide transportation and accompaniment to appointments.
- At the Visiting Angels office – As the patient is transitioned home, our staff utilizes software tools and company resources to identify and daily track clients who are at high risk for readmission. We are the eyes and ears that monitor the client’s engagement with their plan of care and recovery. We pay attention to patient preferences and patient satisfaction and thus have more success in stabilizing the patient at risk.
There are many benefits to having an award winning home health agency help with the transition from hospital to home. These include consistency of care and quality assurance. We are patient advocates and can provide assistance with Long Term Care Benefits and claims. Our CNAs, and HHAs are all experienced, licensed, bonded, and insured employees with federal criminal background checks. You can’t put a price on peace of mind. Contact me directly or owner Colleen Haggerty at 561-328-7611 to find out more about home care services in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Tequesta, Juno Beach, Wellington and West Palm Beach.
Till next time!
Irv Seldin, JD., Owner and CEO of Visiting Angels of the Palm Beaches
*Article not intended as medical advice.