Senior Safety: Post-hospitalization Tips

When seniors come home after a hospital stay, symptoms from the condition that caused the hospitalization may not necessarily be eliminated. This often makes it difficult for the individual to safely adjust back to daily life.

The following tips can help your loved one transition from hospital to home keeping them safe while allowing them to be more independent.
Before leaving the hospital, consider these medical Care needs:

Be involved: Talk with your loved one and his doctors to ensure everyone has the same goals, information and strategy to provide a safe, healthy recovery.
Discuss medications: One of the main causes of a slower recovery is improper use of medications. Become familiar with the medications being prescribed for your loved one, the dosage and frequency along with any possible side effects
Schedule follow-up appointments: Find out what follow-up appointments and tests are needed. Schedule these appointments at the proper times and determine transportation needs.

Thinking ahead and planning for the return home is vital to a smooth transition. Considering home care needs is important, both short and long-term. Consider these:

Short Term needs: To aid in the recovery process, your senior may need round-the-clock care. Find a home health care provider to assist. There are many good services that can provide quality aid either 24 hours or simply during the day when other obligations conflict with daily care.
Long term needs: Your loved one may need long term emergency care. Though your loved one recovers from the hospital stay, for their safety and security they may need a medical alarm system to alert family or obtain medical assistance in the event of a fall or other medical emergency. Medical alarms, such as Lifefone, offer rapid response and assistance when an emergency arises. Having a medical alarm to help when needed provides peace of mind for you and your family member.

Other considerations may be meal delivery and transportation needs. There are services that deliver daily meals or your loved one might have friends or neighbors who offer to help. Transportation needs can be accommodated through medical transport services. While both services require a fee, it may be a viable solution.

Many people neglect the necessary measures toward a speedy and full recovery after a hospital stay. Whether seniors are able to continue to live alone, need daily home care or can live independently with a medical alarm system, proper, thoughtful planning and execution will make the process less stressful. Reviewing these tips can help your loved one recover with greater peace of mind and ease the transition from hospital to home.

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