If your senior loved one has been hospitalized or in a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation, he or she is probably eager to return to the comfort of home.
Whether you were the primary caregiver or used homecare services for loved one, it’s important for all caregivers to work together to thoroughly plan for the patient’s safety after discharge. Supportive transitional care can help prevent health complications and hospital readmissions.
Quality Transitional Care Reduces Costly Readmissions
Transitional care occurs when a patient shifts from one care setting to another. Experts say that this process is often poorly managed in the United States, leading to diminished health and high costs.
An analysis found that nearly one in five Medicare patients discharged from the hospital—approximately 2.6 million seniors—is readmitted within 30 days, and another one in five are readmitted within 90 days. These readmissions cost Medicare at least $15 billion annually.
Perhaps more importantly to the patient, the risk of negative health outcomes increases when transitional care misses the mark. Readmission can occur due to a worsening of the existing condition, a new condition that appears, or because the patient is having difficulty following new medication directions, making lifestyle changes, and managing follow-up appointments. Individuals who live alone and those with limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) are especially vulnerable.
Factors to Consider for Successful Transitional Care
For a loved one to successfully recover at home, family members must understand:
- Time commitment and logistics. How long is recovery expected to take, and will care and supervision be needed 24/7? How will the patient get to follow-up appointments?
- Wound care. It’s important to change wound dressings and treat incisions properly to prevent infections.
- Complementary therapy. Does the patient need to do physical therapy or special exercises at home?
- Medications. Are there new medications to take or changes to existing medications?
- Equipment. Will the patient need equipment, such as a wheelchair, crutches or oxygen tank?
- Safety. Are adjustments and modifications to the home environment needed?
- ADL assistance. Will the patient need help with eating, bathing or going to the bathroom?
Patients also need access to nutritious meals because food plays an important part in healing. A healthy diet of nutrient-dense foods, such as salmon, nuts and cruciferous veggies, may help optimize recovery, as well as foods containing zinc, Vitamin B and Vitamin A. Hydration is also important for healing and recovery, especially if the patient has experienced fever and diarrhea.
In-Home Support for Transitional Care
These responsibilities may seem overwhelming. If you need support in caring for a loved one after a hospital or skilled nursing stay, you may ask, “How can I find a qualified caregiver near me who is knowledgeable about transitional care?” We invite you to contact Kadan Homecare at 770-396-8997 for a complimentary in-home evaluation. Our highly trained and qualified caregivers in the Atlanta area are skilled at delivering the care a patient needs following surgery, hospitalization or rehab – whether it’s assistance with ADLs and wound care, help with medications, preparing healthy food or getting to important follow-up appointments.
