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Seniors are more vulnerable to events that can lead to hospital readmissions. Falls, medication mishaps, and secondary infections are a few things you need to watch out for during the first few weeks after your aging loved one comes home. You can also make sure to follow these five basic practices that greatly reduce your loved one’s chances of being readmitted to the hospital.
1. Set Up a Safe Recovery Area in the Home
The first thing you need to do is limit how much activity your loved one engages in when first returning home. Trying to do too much could tax your loved one’s immune system or cause a fall. Find a place in your loved one’s home where he or she can recover easily. This space should have a bed and access to a bathroom. Place handrails on the bed to keep your loved one from falling out, and help him or her get up in the morning. You can also add a nightstand or bed tray with items your loved one needs, such as eyeglasses, so he or she doesn’t have to reach far to get something.
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 Home Care Portland, 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 home caregiver.
2. Make Someone Responsible for Medication Management
The first few days at home after being in the hospital can be challenging for some seniors. Your loved one may experience confusion and foggy thinking due to a lack of sleep or medication side effects, which might cause him or her to make dangerous mistakes with medications, such as doubling up on a dose or forgetting to take antibiotics. You can prevent medication mishaps from leading to a readmission by appointing someone to be responsible for checking on the dosage schedule each day.
3. Clear Out All Walking Paths
Your loved one may still be fairly spry, yet he or she is at risk for falling until fully recovered. Although your loved one might have been able to step around a piece of furniture or over a dog toy in the past, make sure he or she doesn’t have to do that now. Before your loved one comes home, try to visit the house to clear out any cluttered hallways or living areas that make it difficult to walk. Make sure there’s adequate lighting so your loved one can see the floor while walking.
4. Print & Post the Aftercare Instructions
Your loved one’s aftercare instructions provide information about medications and special treatments that need to be performed, such as those for wound care. Make sure everyone is on the same page by posting the aftercare instructions where they’re visible to avoid someone forgetting an essential step that could lead to an infection.
A professional caregiver can monitor your loved one for post-hospitalization complications. When searching for reliable at-home care agencies, families want to know their senior loved ones will be well taken care of. At Assisting Hands Home Care, 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.
5. Practice Proper Sanitation & Hygiene
Your loved one’s house needs to stay as sanitary as possible to prevent infections that could lead to a readmission. Try to limit visitors for the first few days to only close family members and caregivers who provide assistance. You should also make sure everyone washes their hands before caring for your loved one and helps with cleaning up minor messes before they turn into a risk for infections.
Portland in-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. Assisting Hands Home Care can be your trusted partner when your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging. Call us today at 503-664-7934 to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.
