Hospital to Home Care
The patient’s care does not conclude upon discharge from the hospital. In fact, according to our experience, this is the most critical step.
Even in the best-case scenario, individuals require competent medical care for several days to weeks following hospitalization. This is even more important for patients who have undergone major surgery or have been critically unwell.
Patients who have undergone cardiac surgeries, hip and knee replacements, spine surgeries, transplants, tumor removals, and other types of surgery urgently need expert home health care. Such patients require specialized post Hospital care, and it is essential to adhere to an evidence-based protocol to avoid unnecessary problems and promote a quick recovery.
If you or a loved one has been hospitalized or had an illness or fall, you may require temporary care to help you return to your daily routine and maintain your independence.
This type of care is also known as intermediate care or aftercare. Rabblement is a form of care that teaches you how to perform daily tasks such as cooking and washing.
The average duration of this care is one to two weeks, although you can receive free short-term care for up to six weeks. It will depend on how quickly you can manage at home.
Why is In-Home Care So Important After Hospital Discharge?
Recovery from injuries and illness does not conclude when you and a loved one leave the hospital. Recovery from any medical condition that necessitates a hospital stay will likely take weeks or even months. And a healthy recovery is contingent upon obeying the doctor’s and nurses’ orders.
Too many Americans take recovery for granted, neglecting to recognize the risks associated with hospitalization. You may be shocked that around 18% of Medicare-covered hospitalizations are followed within 30 days by readmission. Readmission can occur due to the recurrence of a condition and a secondary, linked ailment. For instance, many patients report weakness and exhaustion after a hospital stay, which increases the likelihood of a fracture due to a home fall.
When your loved one leaves the hospital, it goes without saying that they have no plans to return soon. One of the best ways to lessen their readmission likelihood is to provide them with the necessary assistance at home. After being discharged from the hospital, in-home care guarantees that your loved one receives the special service needed to maximize the likelihood of a full recovery. This type of care can take many forms, including weekly check-ins, daily visits, and 24/7 monitoring and support.
Medical vs. Non-Medical In-Home Care
When deciding if a loved one needs in-home care after being released from the hospital, it’s important to find out if they need medical or non-medical care. This is a big difference because licensed medical professionals can only do some types of in-home care. Talk to your loved one’s doctor to find out what kind of care will be best for them.
What is required for post-hospital care?
A team comprised of individuals from the National Health Service and social services will assist you in maintaining your autonomy.
This could entail dressing, preparing a meal, or ascending and downstairs.
Initially, they may be concerned for you, but they will assist you in practicing independence.
Your group may consist of the following:
- a nurse
- Occupational therapist
- A physical therapist
- A therapist for speech and language
- A social worker
- Doctors
- caregivers
They will begin with an assessment of your capabilities. Together, you’ll determine your goals and formulate a strategy.
The plan will specify a team member who will be your point of contact and the dates and hours of their visits.
Options For Post-Hospital Discharge Care
Patients who just left the hospital shouldn’t be left alone at home.
Unfortunately, taking care of a loved one after they leave the hospital is often hard, especially if you work, have other family members who depend on you, or live far away. For these and other reasons, you might think about sending your loved one to a skilled nursing or assisted living facility after they get out of the hospital.
Some skilled nursing facilities, like nursing homes and in-patient rehab centers, offer short-term stays of up to 100 days for people who just got out of the hospital but still need medical care and nursing services 24 hours a day. Unfortunately, these places tend to feel very clinical, give patients little privacy (they may have to share rooms), and often don’t have enough staff.
Some assisted living facilities also offer short-term “respite” care for people who just got out of the hospital. This includes help with bathing, getting dressed, making meals, and doing other personal tasks. Assisted living gives patients more privacy and a home-like environment than skilled nursing facilities. Unfortunately, assisted living is often one of the most expensive types of care, and a patient’s money can quickly run out.
If you choose skilled nursing or assisted living, remember that you probably won’t have much time or information to choose a facility that’s right for your loved one. Most hospitals won’t do much more than give you a list of suggested choices a day or two before you leave.
Post Hospitalization Home Health Care normally involves a combination of the following:
- Full-time/part-time nursing care (checking wounds, wound management, suture removal, tracheotomy, oxygen administration, injections, reviewing medications, and others)
- Rehabilitation and physiotherapy
- Occupational treatment
- Included in speech therapy is assistance with swallowing.
- Patient education and development of confidence
Post-hospitalization care includes custodial care, supporting the patient with self-grooming and personal duties like toileting, bathing, and clothing. When a patient requests it, One Life also schedules a visit from a social worker who will converse with them and spend time with them.
At Stay In Home Care, we are committed to the well-being and safety of the clients that we are privileged to serve. Many of our clients come to us following a hospitalization. They are referred to us by physicians, discharge planners, social workers, and case managers. Health and wellness professionals know that the transition from hospital to home can be a challenging one for patients and their families. As we strive to be the leading experts in all aspects of in-home care, including post-hospitalization care, we developed this guide to provide an overview of the challenges and resources associated with each step in the transition from hospital to home.
Our caregivers will first educate themselves on what the discharge process entails and the all key components involved. Next, we will provide a step-by-step plan of care ensuring optimal care post-hospitalization. The transition out of the security of the hospital setting may seem daunting at first, but remember that you and your loved one are not alone in this process. Just as there is a team of individuals inside the hospital, the same goes for the greater care community to ensure that all of your needs are met.
We hope that Stay In Home Care guide will equip you with the information you need to make the best decisions possible.
- Basic personal care
- Assisting with walking and transferring from bed to wheelchair
- Bathing, dressing, and grooming assistance
- Medication reminders
- Toileting and incontinence care
- Status reporting to family
- Safety and fall prevention
- Transition home care plan
- Consultation and personalized care plan
- Transportation to support the critical initial transition
- Errands, grocery shopping, prescription pick-up, housekeeping
- Meal preparation and nutrition
- Rehabilitation reminders, physical and emotional support and companionship
- Transportation to rehabilitation sessions, doctor appointments and personal events
- Range of motion exercises to encourage physical activity
One of the leading causes of hospital readmission or slow post-hospitalization recovery is the lack of proper support following a hospital discharge. Whether you or a loved one is transitioning directly home after a hospitalization or moving through the care continuum via a rehabilitation or medical care facility, in-home care is a key resource for a safe and successful recovery process.
- We are here to help when you need us
- On call 24 hours for client needs
- Flexible and fast scheduling
- Regular quality assurance
- Thorough care management and family support
- Double the care team staff of other agencies
- Hospital to home care
Our hospital to home care services
The first 72 hours following a procedure or hospital stay represents a critical and vulnerable time for the patient, often involving a new diagnosis and changes in daily habits, required medications, meal regimens, rehab exercises and more. A qualified, skilled caregiver can transport you home from the care facility and provides essential support during an often stressful time. Family members can have a peace of mind having professional help during the transition from hospital to home and not having to remember the many instructions and directions from the facility that are to be followed.
Stay In Home Care non-medical home care provides the monitoring, reminders, and emotional support to help the individual recover successfully in the comfort of their own home.
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