Understanding the Crucial Role of Support Systems After a Hospital Discharge
Post-hospital care helps seniors recover from a hospital stay with needed in-home support.
It’s common knowledge that health tends to deteriorate with age, frequently requiring hospital stays and increased medical attention. Not only that but more often than not, seniors’ discharge from the hospital signifies the need for additional changes as they return to their homes. Unfortunately, this means they may encounter numerous social, emotional, and physical obstacles, making the need for support systems crucial as part of their post-hospital care.
Understanding the Risks
For seniors, being discharged from the hospital is exciting and risky, depending on the environment they’re returning to and their abilities. A reduction in physical function, an elevated chance of medication errors, an increased vulnerability to infections, and an increased level of confusion are common among seniors.
Additionally, the need to adjust to new diagnoses or changes in routine might bring about powerful emotions. This combination of factors makes it more important than ever that support, such as home health, is included in the post-hospital care plan.
The Value of a Strong Support System
When creating a post-hospital care plan, covering all facets of care, such as practical, emotional, and medical assistance, is essential to ensure the greatest support. The reasons each component of this support system is essential are as follows:
- Medication Management: New prescriptions or changes to current ones are often part of the post-hospital care plan. Correct medicine administration can lower the chance of side effects and missed doses. This support can come from skilled nursing.
- Follow-Up Care: Following their discharge, many seniors need to continue seeing doctors and receiving therapy. A support system can help with appointment scheduling and attendance to guarantee continuity of service.
- Emotional Support: As mentioned, seniors may experience strong emotions after discharge, such as feelings of loneliness, despair, or anxiety. During this period, a family, friends, or home health network can provide comfort, understanding, and assurance.
- Mental Health Services: It’s critical for seniors who are experiencing severe emotional distress to have access to mental health services like therapy or counseling. A network of support can make it easier to access these resources and offer continuous motivation.
- Assistance with Daily Living Skills (ADLs): After a hospital stay, seniors may find it difficult to perform simple tasks like getting dressed, taking a shower, or preparing meals. A support network can help with these tasks, ensuring seniors have everything they need regarding post-hospital care.
- Home Modifications: Supports included in the post-hospital care plan might also address accessibility and safety for seniors, which might lead to changes in their spaces, such as installing grab bars, ramps, or stairlifts.
Seniors may find the time after hospital discharge difficult. However, when the post-hospital care plan helps create a strong support plan, they can access the resources they need, which increases their ability to recover successfully and may even decrease their chances of returning to the hospital. A seamless transition from hospital to home also helps them maintain their independence.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Post-Hospital Care in Des Plaines, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 948-0860. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette, and the surrounding areas.
Sources:
- https://homecareconnectors.com/top-5-benefits-of-post-hospital-care-supporting-faster-healing
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/importance-planning-hospital-discharge-caregivers-marshall-jones/
- https://www.nurseregistry.com/post-hospital-support/
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