5 Things Your Senior Parent Will Need After A Hospital Stay
When your senior parent is discharged from the hospital they will still need additional help at home until they are totally recovered. Even though your senior parent may be well enough to leave the hospital they may not be well enough to be alone at home. Often seniors who were in the hospital because of a fall will fall again when they return home because they try to do too much at home.
It’s a good idea to make sure that plans for extra care, safety modifications, and other things are done before your senior parent is discharged from the hospital. That will make their transition back home as smooth as possible. Some of the most useful things for seniors when they return home after a hospital stay are:
Personal Care At Home
When seniors come home from the hospital even if they are able to get up and walk around on their own their balance may be off and they may still be shaky on their feet. With personal care at home seniors will have help with hygiene tasks like showering and brushing their teeth. They will also get help transferring in and out of bed, which can help prevent more falls. Personal care at home gives seniors the extra support they need during their home recovery.
Home Accessibility Modifications
While your senior parent is recovering, they may need to have a hospital bed set up on the first floor. They may also need safety modifications like grab bars, a makeshift ramp for a wheelchair installed, a lift chair to help them get up from a seated position, or modifications in the kitchen that will allow them to access the things they need without reaching or bending.
Medical Equipment and Supplies
Ask your senior parent’s doctor or physical therapist about any medical equipment they may need for recovery. They may need exercise equipment like weighted balls or exercise straps. Or, they may need a hospital bed or an adjustable bed. Walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, a temporary portable commode, and other medical equipment can be rented for your senior parent, but you may have to wait for some items. It’s a good idea to contact a medical supply company as soon as you can to find the items that your senior parent will need.
Transportation To Follow-Up Medical Appointments
After your senior parent is home they will need to see their doctor again regularly to make sure their recovery is going well. It’s a good idea to set up a schedule of follow up medical appointments in advance so that you can arrange transportation for your senior parent. If you can’t take them to the appointment a home care provider may be able to take them, or you can arrange for a senior transportation service.
Companionship And Social Engagement
Going from a hospital that’s bustling with people to being alone at home can be bad for a senior’s mental health. Companion care is a great idea for seniors who are recovering at home because it means they will get regular visits.
If you or someone you know needs help with personal care at home in Rockford, MI, contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 560-4057 for more information.
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