When seniors are discharged from the hospital, families may understand many of the challenges they’re likely to face. However, there are other issues that they may not realize could pose a problem. Whatever the reason for the hospital stay, hospital to home transition care can help seniors to return comfortably to their own homes afterward. Understanding the possible hidden challenges they might face helps families be even more prepared.
Handling Complex Medical Needs
Many seniors leave the hospital but still need ongoing medical care and attention. That could involve caring for wounds, monitoring vital signs, and managing medications. Family caregivers may not feel prepared to handle those types of needs on their own. Hospital to home transition care can help families find the right solutions, like skilled nursing care, to help with these needs.
Emotional and Mental Health Challenges
It’s always a relief to come home from the hospital, but coming home can also bring some emotional and mental health challenges. Seniors often go from having a lot of people around them to returning home and possibly not having as much social interaction. It’s also frustrating to need more help with regular daily tasks and not feel supported. Transition care experts understand that stress, anxiety, and depression are common after a hospital stay and they can help families find resources to offer support.
Adapting Living Spaces for Recovery
Sometimes seniors aren’t prepared at home to recover after a hospital stay. They may be at greater risk now of experiencing a fall or may not have the accessibility necessary to accommodate a walker or a wheelchair. Home care services can help with keeping pathways clear and taking care of household tasks that are difficult during recovery.
Coordinating Care
Depending on the reasons for hospitalization, seniors may need assistance during recovery from a variety of specialists and medical providers. Coordinating that care can be overwhelming, especially while seniors are still healing. Hospital to home transition care can help families to keep everything straight.
Managing Family Expectations
When a family member leaves the hospital, family members can experience their own set of challenges. Family members may not know how to best support their aging adults during recovery, leading to frustration and increased stress. With the right support from hospital to home transition care, family members and family caregivers are better able to clarify their roles in recovery and adjust their expectations accordingly.
Ensuring a Smooth Recovery
The main goal of hospital to home transition care is to help patients recover successfully in their own homes. Managing every aspect of the recovery process from physical health to emotional well-being is complicated. Ongoing monitoring and access to the right support help reduce rehospitalization risk. As seniors continue to recover, transition professionals can help families to adjust care plans as necessary.
Returning home from the hospital is a big and often positive event. But so often there are hidden challenges that can seriously impact recovery. Hospital to home transition care experts help seniors and family members to address all of the challenges they face during recovery.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Hospital to Home Transition Services in Manheim PA, please contact the caring staff at Extended Family Care Lancaster today. Call (717) 391-6363
Extended Family Care Lancaster is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Lancaster, Pennsylvania including Columbia, Elizabethtown, Ephrata, Hershey, Lebanon, Lititz, Manheim, New Holland, and Paradise.
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