Statistics indicate 20 to 30 percent of elderly people who’ve been hospitalized return to the hospital within a year after being discharged. Each new hospital stay can be detrimental for an older adult. There are many different reasons readmissions pose a risk for seniors.
1. Infections
Elderly people often have weakened immune systems secondary to the aging process, so they’re more susceptible to infections. Hospitals are notorious for harboring infectious microbes, which might be brought in by visitors, medical personnel, or other people being treated in the hospital. Seniors might inhale airborne particles containing pathogenic microbes. Genitourinary catheters, IVs, and other invasive devices provide portals of entry for bacteria and viruses, which raises the risk of infection even more.
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.
2. Decreased Emotional Health
Seniors who must return to the hospital shortly after being discharged often become depressed, whether the cause is related to a current diagnosis, a complication, or another reason. Having to constantly rely on medical interventions often leaves older adults feeling hopeless about their recovery. All the negative aspects of being hospitalized increase the risk of emotional and mental health issues. In addition, older adults requiring surgery often have adverse reactions to general anesthesia, which may include cognitive decline.
3. Sleep Disturbances
When seniors are in the hospital, many interruptions occur day and night that can disrupt sleep patterns. Housekeeping staff visits daily to clean the room. Medical staff makes regular visits to check vital signs, replace IV bags, inspect surgical sites, or empty catheter bags. Seniors may need to be transferred to other locations for imaging studies. The firm beds frequently found in hospital rooms are often uncomfortable despite the fact the beds’ positions are easy to alter.
4. Increased Fall Risk
Hospitalization and being confined to a bed tend to physically weaken older adults. Medications may cause seniors to become dizzy or light-headed. Blood loss from surgery can result in anemia. Seniors who experience physical weakness are liable to be unsteady on their feet. Combine weakness with medication side effects, and a loss of balance become more likely. Seniors who attempt to walk to the bathroom or get into a chair unassisted have a high risk of falling, which impedes recovery from other medical issues.
A professional caregiver can be a wonderful source of support for a senior who’s recovering after being hospitalized. Clearwater elderly home care 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.
5. Hospital Delirium
Hospital delirium is a cognitive disorder that occurs in up to 20 percent of elderly people who are hospitalized. In addition, 50 percent of older people who have surgery develop delirium. Symptoms include sudden confusion, disorientation, and inattention. Seniors who exhibit delirium don’t usually have histories of dementia. The symptoms may be caused by sleeping medications, narcotic analgesics, and extensive immobility. Although the dementia-like symptoms eventually subside, seniors are often left with long-term memory deficits, a reduction in brain size, and other cognitive problems.
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 Clearwater, FL, 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. If you need professional care for your senior loved one, Home Care Assistance is just a phone call away. To learn about our high-quality in-home care services, give us a call at (727) 330-7862 today.