Did you know that roughly 20% of seniors on Medicare are hospitalized again within 30 days of discharge? The stress they’ve experienced from being a patient in the hospital takes a toll on many seniors, both physically and mentally.
Without in-home care for seniors after returning home from a hospital stay, substantially higher numbers of them would experience hospital readmissions.
Home care agencies, like Help at Home, help seniors stay at home and avoid going back to the hospital as an in-patient, where they are at an increased risk of infection, prolonging the life and improved health of the older adult.
There are three primary ways that in-home care keeps seniors at home after a hospital stay:
1. Fall Avoidance
The National Council on Aging reports that one in four adults aged 65+ falls every year. Their research has also shown that every 11 seconds, an older adult receives treatment in the emergency room due to a fall.
There are a couple of ways that in-home care reduces a senior’s risk of falling:
- In-home physical therapy can help with strengthening, making them steadier on their feet. Home care aides can also coach the senior on using assistive devices they might need to use, like crutches or a walker.
- Home care agencies can also help assess the senior’s home and recommend ways to reduce the chances of a fall, like installing grab bars, railings, and shower chairs.
2. Medication Management
Many seniors take multiple medications to manage more than one chronic illness. They’re the most vulnerable segment of the population to make dosage errors or forget to take their medications.
After a hospital stay, many older adults come home with new meds and a new regiment and routine that will take some time for them to adjust to. Home health nurses can create a medication plan and make sure that it’s followed. Caregivers can also help with medication reminders.
3. Help Seniors Follow Doctor’s Orders
Upon being released from the hospitals, older adults often come home with doctor’s orders to engage in specific activities to keep them on the road to recovery and good health. This usually includes follow-up care with multiple providers, monitoring symptoms and vital signs. Home health aides also look for complications that may develop.
Help at Home’s Transitional Care
Trying to avoid hospital readmissions? Let us help! Help at Home’s transitional care can give you or your loved one peace of mind, as we keep you informed on how they’re doing and provide coordination of care between doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
At Help at Home, we strive to provide quality in-home care for families in Chevy Chase, Maryland. We also strive to do the same in Maryland, Virginia, and the Washington, DC Metropolitan area. To put your mind at ease, Help at Home is a fully licensed and insured provider, and all of our caregivers are thoroughly screened beforehand.
Contact us today to discuss your needs or to schedule a free in-home assessment.
