Transitioning from a rehab facility or hospital to home can be easier for seniors when the right questions are asked. Knowing the answers could protect your loved one’s safety and make it easier to recover. Here are some of the questions family caregivers should ask a hospital or rehab discharge planner.
What Is the Prognosis?
If your loved one has undergone surgery, it is important to know the prognosis to get a better idea of what has changed since he or she has been in the hospital. Caregivers need to ask why the prognosis has changed and what has to be done to prevent readmission. Family caregivers should also ask if anything went wrong during the procedure or hospital stay, and how the issue was resolved. If these details are listed in your loved one’s records, the information will need to be disclosed.
Seniors who need help recovering from an illness or injury while aging in the comfort of home can benefit from professional in-home care. Albuquerque, New Mexico, home care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.
What Free or Low-Cost Services Are Available?
If you loved one is living on a fixed income or reduced salary, you’ll want to take advantage of every program and resource available to boost his or her health after being discharged. The hospital social workers and case managers generally have lists of free or low-cost services that can help seniors with various tasks after leaving the hospital. Some of these services include:
- Transportation to the doctor
- Meal services
- Assistance with treatment costs
What Is Being Gained from the Home Care Agency Referral?
The surgery and treatment may have gone well, but the real test begins when your loved one is discharged. He or she may need therapy and in-home care. Most medical professionals will refer a home care agency for seniors and family caregivers to use, but you should always ask what is being gained from the referral. Choose an agency that will provide your loved one with high-quality care instead of one the hospital or rehab center has a financial partnership with. Ask for more information on the home care agency, including certifications, testimonies, and its hiring process. The final decision is ultimately between you and your loved one.
One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching home care agencies. Albuquerque families can turn to Home Care Assistance for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour live-in care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties.
What Should We Expect?
Medical professionals can provide a list of warning signs to watch out for, which can help you determine what steps should be taken to prevent issues with the recovery process. You need to know who to call in the event your loved one’s health decreases and how long you should wait before reporting the incident. Some issues will be normal, while others may require immediate care. Make sure to ask what is to be expected with medications and how you can manage them. Knowing what to expect could also reduce your loved one’s risk of being readmitted to the hospital.
Caring for a senior loved one can be a challenging task, especially if he or she is recovering from an injury or a serious medical condition. If your senior loved one needs hourly or live-in care, Albuquerque Home Care Assistance can help. Our caregivers can assist with exercise and mobility, prepare nutritious meals, provide timely medication reminders, and help with a wide array of other important daily tasks. If your loved one needs assistance managing daily activities or symptoms of a disease, call us at 505-798-0800 today.
