Hospital readmission rates are highest among the senior population, compared to younger adults. While some readmissions are due to issues beyond a senior’s control, many are preventable. Seniors who receive high-quality care at home after they’re discharged are less likely to need to be readmitted to the hospital, and reducing the overall rate of readmissions provides the following benefits for seniors.
1. Prevent Hospital-Acquired Infections
Every time seniors enter a hospital, they’re exposed to new germs that could cause infections. Although hospital staff do what they can to lower the risk of seniors developing hospital-acquired infections, it’s not always possible to eliminate the risk completely. Making sure seniors are able to finish their recovery at home reduces their exposure to new pathogens.
A professional caregiver can monitor your loved one for post-hospitalization complications, including infections. When searching for reliable elderly home care agencies, families want to know their senior loved ones 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.
2. Keep Medical Care Costs Lower
Medical costs are one of the biggest expenses in many seniors’ budgets. Recovering at home with the assistance of a caregiver is typically less expensive than staying in the hospital. Since each day in a hospital significantly increases how much seniors pay for their recovery, avoiding readmission helps them better manage their finances.
3. Maintain a Sense of Morale
Today’s hospitals try to create a cheerful ambience, but there’s still nothing quite like being at home. Hospitals must also require seniors to adhere to stricter rules—such as being confined to bed or only being allowed to eat or drink certain things—than those they might need to follow at home.
When seniors avoid readmission, they can stay at home, where they have more freedom. Although they must still follow their aftercare instructions, being able to do things as they prefer can help them keep up their morale. For seniors, a positive attitude can make a significant difference in how long it takes them to recover, which means keeping up their morale is critical for their long-term health.
4. Encourage Continued Independence
Each readmission to the hospital restricts a senior from being able to renew the ability to live independently after an illness or injury. In some instances, a hospital-acquired infection could limit abilities even further if it leads to complications.
Keeping seniors out of the hospital helps them begin the process of recovery with activities in the home that fit their daily needs. For instance, seniors recovering at home can prepare their own meals if they feel up to it instead of having them brought from the hospital cafeteria.
Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of respite care Clearwater seniors can depend on.
5. Provide More Social Support
When seniors are hospitalized, their families may be required to adhere to specific visiting hours that make it difficult to show support. Preventing hospital readmissions allows families to continue to visit their loved ones at home, since they can stop by anytime. Since seniors healing from illnesses or injuries fare better with social support, this flexibility in visiting times benefits their overall recovery.
A professional in-home caregiver can be a wonderful source of support for a senior who’s recovering after being hospitalized. Clearwater 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. Reach out to us at Home Care Assistance if you need compassionate professional care for your loved one. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (727) 330-7862 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.