It is always a relief whenever an elderly adult returns from an unplanned visit to the hospital. Everyone is of course happy when patients can leave the hospital after a fall or sickness without developing subsequent complications. While it might feel like a good time for worries to pass, it isn’t always the reality.
Many often believe that the treatment given during hospitalization is the only care required and are unaware of the significance of after-discharge care. However, the rate of hospital readmissions in the US is climbing. With the United Health Foundation estimating that over 15 percent of patients aged 65 to 75 were readmitted to hospitals in 2021, it is imperative to establish plans for at-home recuperation and recovery management.
The path to recovery is long and there are still potential medical and safety risks, so caregivers must remain vigilant even when an elderly adult has returned home. An assisted living community is one of the places with many special provisions for hospital aftercare. Here are four ways that assisted living in St. Petersburg, FL can help keep the elderly from returning to the hospital.
Assisted Living Teams Can Join the Discharge Planning and Preparation
From an early stage of the elderly patient’s hospitalization, assisted living teams will actively participate in planning and preparing for their release. Assisted living teams make use of post-discharge checklists and information sheets such as those from the Medicaid and Medicare services. These guidelines and checklists help facilitate a much smoother and more effective aftercare experience for the recuperating patient.
Assisted Living Teams Can Liaise with the Hospital Discharge Staff
A hospital discharge coordinator and social worker will be assigned to the patient when they are about ready to go home. Prior to the patient’s discharge, these hospital healthcare specialists will conduct some critical checks. They determine whether the patient is completely fit for release after evaluating their condition and the possible limitations in their at-home aftercare phase.
As a part of the patient’s support structure, participating in these discussions is essential. Assisted living teams can ensure that the hospital personnel are informed of any underlying health issues about the resident and aftercare constraints that they might be unaware of. These insights will assist with better planning and notify medical professionals of potential obstacles well in advance.
Assisted Living Can Help with Daily Tasks
When recuperating, certain everyday tasks can become difficult. Assisted living teams can help in any aspect required for successful aftercare and recovery. This might involve administering medications, aiding in daily tasks like eating and showering, keeping an eye on their general well-being and activity levels, and making sure the resident shows up for their post-discharge doctor or specialist appointments.
Assisted living teams will also gather all the necessary details needed to help with the daily aftercare process, including the doctor’s contact information, medication dosages, and operating instructions for any medical devices required.
Assisted Living Can Provide Comprehensive Care
Some paths to full recuperation take more time compared to others and call for additional professional care, such as 24/7 nursing, mobility and transfer assistance, and emergency response monitoring—all of which can be provided by an assisted living community. Assisted living will deliver comprehensive care that ensures the highest-quality recovery in a safe and secure environment.
