No one likes going to the hospital. However, for the vast majority of us, a hospital visit is inevitable. Hospital stays can be physically and emotionally exhausting. As you can imagine, this is especially true for seniors. Certainly, getting the right medical care is essential. However, no one wants to return to the hospital shortly after being discharged.
Avoiding re-admissions is not just better for overall health. It also helps seniors to maintain their independence and peace of mind. At Senior Homecare by Angels, we know how important it is for seniors to recover safely and comfortably at home. That’s why we’ve put together these helpful hints to help older adults avoid hospital re-admissions.
Understand and follow discharge instructions.
There is often a lot of information found in hospital discharge instructions. We’re talking about medications, follow-up appointments, dietary changes and more. The importance of seniors and their families understanding this guidance fully cannot be understated. If you need any clarification, don’t hesitate to ask the care team for it before leaving the hospital. Be mindful to keep a printed copy of discharge instructions in a visible spot at home.
According to the Canadian Medical Protective Association, “adequate discharge strategies help reduce the risk of complications for patients and also unnecessary office visits, unplanned hospital re-admissions, unfavourable patient outcomes, and medico-legal problems for physicians.”
Stick to your medication schedule and attend follow-up appointments.
Medication errors are among the top reasons for hospital re-admissions. Seniors may accidentally skip doses, double up or take the wrong meds altogether. It’s a good idea to keep a visible schedule to remind older adults of when to take their medications. You should also keep a schedule with your physician. With regular check-ins, your doctor can monitor your recovery and make adjustments as needed.
“The most effective suggestion for managing medication regimen is to use an alarm feature on your mobile phone,” informs Sunshine Drugs, “This reminder can be for taking medication promptly, arranging a refill for medicine, or scheduling regular appointments with the doctor.”
Modify the home to promote recovery.
Is your home full of tripping hazards like rugs and cords? It’s time to remove them. Are issues with balance and stability posing a risk of falling? Install grab bars in the bathroom. Do you have vision impairments that make it hard to see the walkways in front of you? Add extra lighting in the form of lamps and night lights in order to keep the home well-lit.
In addition, it may be time to upgrade your refrigerator. We’re not talking about the appliance itself. Instead, you might want to change the food within it. Nutrition plays a huge role in healing. After a hospital stay, seniors need plenty of fluids, protein, vitamins and minerals to help their bodies regain strength.
Our team is here to help with your recovery!
At Senior Homecare by Angels, we help individuals to avoid hospital re-admissions. We use a three-prong approach to care for our clients who return home after their hospital stays. This involves addressing issues at the hospital, at the client’s home and at the Senior Homecare by Angels office.
Our top priorities are to reduce the risk of emergency department visits or re-admissions. We also work to help our clients avoid initial hospital admissions! To learn more, please don’t hesitate to call us at 403-862-0129 or if outside of Calgary, toll-free at 1-877-209-6142. You may also visit our Contact Us page to complete and submit a simple contact form.