Being surrounded by medical professionals has its benefits, but there are certain disadvantages as well. Therefore, your family should develop a proper care plan that leads to a healthy recovery for your senior loved one rather than failed treatment and hospital readmission. Here are some of the reasons hospital readmissions are harmful to seniors.
1. Constant Testing
When seniors are readmitted to the hospital, they don’t just rest and magically get better. Doctors may order X-rays and various tests to find out what’s causing the pain or preventing treatment from working. The constant testing could be frustrating for your loved one and cause behavioral problems.
Attending appointments for testing can be challenging for seniors who no longer drive. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of Anchorage senior home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
2. Lack of Privacy
There are countless medical providers at a hospital each day, including surgeons, doctors, nurses, therapists, food staff, and volunteers. Hospitals also stay busy due to company deliveries and the guests of other people staying in the hospital, which reduces the amount of privacy your loved one will have. If your loved one is sharing a room with another individual, he or she will also have to endure that person plus any visitors the roommate has. The lack of privacy could be harmful to your loved one’s mental and emotional health.
3. Pain & Discomfort
If your parent is readmitted to the hospital, one key factor could be pain. The aches and tension may prevent him or her from sitting in a chair or lying in bed comfortably. However, being readmitted to the hospital doesn’t automatically stop the pain. In some cases, it could get worse because it has built up over the past few days or weeks. Always check the types of medicines prescribed before discharge. Your loved one should receive medication that treats his or her illness or injury and prevents pain and discomfort.
Professional caregivers can help seniors with medication reminders and much more. Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated home care service, you can turn to Home Care Assistance. Our respite and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise.
4. Increased Risk of Infections
Each night spent in the hospital increases the chances of infection. Bacteria travel quickly, especially in facilities like hospitals that treat common colds, the flu, and pneumonia. To prevent infections at home that lead to hospital readmissions, encourage your loved one to wash his or her hands frequently and keep all rooms and surfaces clean and disinfected. Your parent should also avoid walking barefoot indoors.
5. More Expenses
The rising costs for hospital stays is one of the top reasons older adults need to avoid hospital readmission. Surgical procedures, testing, X-rays, hospital pharmacy expenses, meals, and other necessities can add up. If your loved one’s insurance doesn’t cover all the costs, he or she will have to pay out of pocket, which could be challenging if he or she is living on a fixed income.
6. Slowed Recovery Process
When older adults are readmitted to the hospital, there are likely problems with their current conditions, or they may have developed other issues, which could slow the recovery process and prevent their health from returning to normal. Functional recovery begins with adequate care and healthy habits. Always speak with the doctor to determine what could be done to boost your parent’s quality of life and prevent readmissions.
After being discharged from the hospital, your loved one can recover in the safety and comfort of home with the help of a professional caregiver. Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of respite care Anchorage, AK, seniors can depend on. To find out more about our high-quality at-home care, call (907) 770-0907 today.