Many families don’t know that hospital readmissions are quite common for seniors. Fortunately, many readmissions are completely preventable with proper care. Once your senior loved one is hospitalized for an illness or injury, it’s important to begin working right away to find solutions that keep him or her out of the hospital after returning home. Having to go back to the hospital after finally being discharged could have some serious effects on your loved one’s wellbeing.
Decreased Motivation
Recovering from an illness or injury should feel like a consistent series of positive breakthroughs. For instance, your loved one can celebrate finally being able to get out of bed and get dressed independently. However, suddenly discovering a setback that requires going through the whole process again is discouraging. Once your loved one loses motivation, it may be difficult to get him or her to comply with aftercare instructions.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 Des Moines, IA, 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.
Financial Strain
Seniors who live on fixed budgets may not be financially prepared to handle multiple hospital stays. Since a hospital readmission also means your loved one may be prescribed new treatments, he or she may also find healthcare costs rising. Facing financial strain on top of being sick can generate stress that impacts recovery.
Exposure to New Germs
Every step inside a hospital potentially exposes your loved one to new germs. Although the hospital staff works very hard to keep things sanitary, your loved one is still exposed to germs in waiting areas. Germ exposure can also occur just from having contact with other people, such as nurses and doctors. At home, your loved one is less likely to acquire a secondary infection that requires further care, provided you help him or her stay healthy.A professional caregiver can monitor your loved one for post-hospitalization complications, including infections. When searching for reliable homecare service 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.
Multiple Diagnoses
Sometimes hospital readmissions are caused by relapses in healing. However, many are also caused by new health issues seniors didn’t previously have. For instance, your loved one may fall and experience a head injury. If he or she was already recovering from a stroke, this could seriously hinder the healing process. Hospital readmissions often mean seniors must try to heal from multiple problems that can tax their energy and immune systems. They may also face having to add additional treatments to already-packed daily routines once they return home.
Longer Recovery Time
When your loved one is ill or injured, you want to see him or her get back to normal as fast as possible. Being confined to a bed for a long time makes it difficult to bounce back, and your loved one may become frustrated by the lengthier recovery that occurs following a hospital readmission. While all of these effects are daunting, it may help to know that you do have some control over preventing a readmission by simply arranging for home care services that address common challenges seniors face after coming home.A professional caregiver can be a wonderful source of support for a senior who’s recovering after being hospitalized. Des Moines homecareexperts 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. If your loved one needs professional care, Home Care Assistance is here to help. Call us at (515) 264-2438 today to talk to one of our compassionate Care Managers about our high-quality home care services.
