How to Lower Rates of Hospital Readmission in Seniors

Hospital readmissions can be harmful to your elderly parent’s health, and they could be costly as well. The positive news is that most readmissions are preventable with a proper care plan in place. Your family can use the following tips to keep your loved one safe after being discharged and reduce his or her risk of being readmitted into the hospital.

Go Over Discharge Procedures

Before leaving, read over the discharge information to determine what type of care your loved one will need at home. You may need to make adjustments to the home so your loved one can navigate the environment more easily. Other changes your family may need to make could relate to your loved one’s diet and exercise routine. Being released from the hospital too soon could cause your loved one to be readmitted. If you think your loved one is being released before he or she is physically or mentally ready, speak with his or her doctor. You should also contact your loved one’s insurance company to see what options are available.
Some seniors only require help with a few daily tasks so they can maintain their independence. However, those living with serious illnesses may need more extensive assistance. Luckily, there is professional live-in care Winnipeg, MB, seniors can rely on. Home can be a safer and more comfortable place for your loved one to live with the help of an expertly trained and dedicated live-in caregiver.

Develop a Plan

Decide who will take care of your loved one before his or her release. You and your siblings should try to share caregiving tasks equally to prevent anyone from becoming emotionally, physically, and mentally exhausted. The plan will likely change as your loved one’s health changes. If schedules prevent family members from committing the time necessary to care for your loved one, consider using respite care throughout the recovery process, as this option can provide your family with relief while your loved one receives treatment for an injury, condition, or surgical procedure.
Winnipeg home care service experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.

Learn More About Medications

Many readmissions are due to medication mishaps that could have been prevented. Your loved one will need to take the correct dosages of his or her prescriptions at the right times. Certain medicines may need to be taken with food or beverages. It’s up to you to learn as much about the medications as possible to ensure your loved one gets the most out of treatment. In addition to asking the doctor, nurse, and pharmacist about the prescriptions, conduct your own research to determine possible side effects and what to do in emergencies. Monitor your parent’s reaction to the medicines and report the details to the doctor. In some cases, the dosages may need to be adjusted.

Keep Up with Appointments

Before leaving the hospital, make sure your parent’s doctor appointments are scheduled, which should include visits with all the medical providers who need to help throughout the recovery process, such as physical therapists and counselors. Don’t miss any of these appointments, especially the first checkup, which needs to be scheduled within seven days after discharge. Most readmissions take place within 30 days of seniors being released, but keeping up with doctor visits can reduce your loved one’s odds of being readmitted to the hospital. During each appointment, be honest about your loved one’s progress and daily activities. Withholding information could be harmful to his or her health.
A professional caregiver can monitor your loved one for post-hospitalization complications and provide transportation to doctor appointments. When searching for reliable homecare agencies, families want to know their senior loved one will be well taken care of. At Home Care Assistance, our expertly trained caregivers are available around the clock to assist with tasks around the house, provide transportation to medical appointments and social events, and much more. Reach out to us at Home Care Assistance if you need compassionate, professional care for your loved one. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (204) 489-6000.