Once a senior is discharged from the hospital it can seem overwhelming to gather all the information and keep it organized. Hospital to home transition care can help sort through this information, ensure a senior sticks with a routine, and will help enable your loved one to focus on rest and recovery.
Once your loved one has been discharged from the hospital here are a few things to think about.
Think About Restrictions
After a hospital visit, your loved one will not be able to do everything they usually do. Your loved one will also need to take it very slowly during the recovery process. If the doctor has given your elderly mom or dad a list of restrictions they need to adhere to the list and listen to the doctor. If they have a hard time remembering these things this is something that hospital to home transition care can help them with. If your loved one feels like they need to do anything that is restricted they need to ask for help instead of trying to do it themselves.
Special Diet Considerations
Not everyone who gets discharged from the hospital will be able to return to normal life right away. They may need to not only what they need to do but also what they eat. If your loved one has just had surgery they may need to eat certain foods so they don’t cause an upset stomach. Before a senior even leaves the hospital a family member or friends should stock their fridge full of doctor-approved foods. If your loved one feels up to it they may be able to order groceries online as well. This will give them control over what they want to eat.
Understand Follow-up Care
Chances are your loved one is going to need to go back to the doctor and there will need to be care done in between. Most seniors will be able to care for themselves and manage their medications. But there may be times when they need to see a specialized nurse or doctor. If they need transportation this is something to figure out even before surgery. When they know what aftercare will be like it will help them feel less stressed.
Home Safety
Your loved one is not going to be moving around a lot after surgery and small things can be a safety hazard. To help your loved one once they get discharged, go through the home and make things safer. A senior may need to move rooms to be closer to a bathroom or kitchen. You may need to tape down rugs or hide cords of any kind as these could cause falls. You may need to add non-slip mats to the shower and other small things. This will help keep your loved one safe at home after a hospital discharge.
Talk About What They Need
As an adult child, it is easy to assume what your loved one is going to need, but you should sit down and ask them. The most important thing they need to do is rest and recover. However, there may be certain things that are stressing them out or certain things that are making it harder to heal. Ask them instead of assuming.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Hospital to Home Transition Care Services in Mt. Vernon OH, please contact the caring staff at Central Star Home Health today. Call 419-756-9449
Central Star Home Health is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Ohio including Ashland, Bellville, Bucyrus, Crestline, Galion, Lexington, Mansfield, Marion, Mt. Vernon, Ontario, Shelby, and Willard.
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