As they get older, there’s a higher chance of your loved ones being admitted to the hospital. The immune system weakens with age, leaving your elderly relatives vulnerable to illnesses and infections, which can result in hospitalisations. People often also experience balance problems as they get older, and because bones become more brittle, they’re more likely to break during a fall. Unfortunately, it can also take longer to recover from illness and injury with age, and many will have to stay in the hospital longer than anticipated.
If your elderly relative has been in the hospital for a few weeks or months now and they’re finally being discharged, you may be worried about them going home and not having any support from a professional care team. This is where a home care agency can help. You can arrange home support services for your loved one, and these can be beneficial for several reasons.
The Increased Risk of Accidents in Later Life
Various factors contribute to the increased risk of illness, falls, and hospital stays among older adults. Muscle weakness and a loss of balance, medical conditions such as Parkinson’s, arthritis, and diabetes, as well as medications that cause dizziness or drowsiness all play a role. Vision impairments, such as cataracts, can also increase the risk of accidents.
Additionally, environmental hazards, like tripping over furniture or rugs, slippery floors, and poor lighting, can exacerbate these risks in later life. In some cases, illness or injury may lead to extended hospital stays, further affecting a person’s health and well-being.
The Physical and Mental Effects of a Hospital Stay
A fall or illness that results in a hospital stay can have significant physical and mental effects on elderly individuals:
- Physical injuries range from minor bruises to serious fractures or trauma that require prolonged recovery.
- Illnesses, such as infections or chronic conditions, can require hospitalisation or ongoing medical attention.
- Mental effects can include increased fear and anxiety, particularly the worry that an accident may happen again.
- Hospital stays often lead to reduced mobility, whether from physical injuries or the trauma of the experience.
- A loss of independence during recovery can contribute to feelings of being a burden, particularly when relying on family and friends for support.
The Benefits of Home Care After a Hospital Stay
Getting professional help for elderly individuals living at home after a stay in the hospital can have some fantastic physical and mental benefits:
Transition from Hospital
Returning home and living independently once again can be a shock, especially having had access to 24-hour help in the hospital. In-home help can bridge the gap between a hospital stay and living alone. Professional carers are on hand to support their clients with flexible care plans that account for their medical needs, lifestyle and preferences. This can help elderly individuals transition from the hospital environment and enjoy being back at home without fear of losing all of the assistance they received.
Support with Prescribed Medication
It isn’t uncommon for elderly people to have a range of medications to take when they’re discharged from the hospital, and they must take them as prescribed. Personal care services can support with prescribed tablets, creams, ointments, and drops, and a team of home carers will ensure no medications are missed. Having some help can prevent concerns about medication mismanagement, and you can trust that your elderly relative won’t be taking more or less medication than they need.
Keep an Eye on Health and Well-being
Whilst visiting your loved one, whether this is a couple of times a day or a couple of times a week, home carers can keep an eye on their general well-being. With many years of experience, they know which signs and symptoms to look out for when an elderly person is struggling, and they can inform you of any concerns they have. A home care agency will work closely with other healthcare professionals, including district nurses, GPs, hospital discharge teams and pharmacists to ensure your loved one has everything they need.
Assist with Everyday Tasks
Depending on the reason your elderly relative had to stay in the hospital, they may need assistance with day-to-day activities when they return home. This is something a team of home carers can help with, and domestic care services will be very useful. Whether your loved one needs help with cleaning, shopping, or cooking, a home carer will ensure they’re not struggling and can provide as much assistance as is required. Some general support will be incredibly beneficial at this time.
Provide Companionship
After being surrounded by people in the hospital and seeing a nurse or doctor several times throughout the day, an empty home can be quite lonely. Not only can a home carer help with lots of everyday tasks, but they will also be someone for your elderly relative to talk to. The importance of companionship care shouldn’t be underestimated, and seeing a friendly face during the day can have a big impact on your loved one’s mental health. Even if they just have a chat over a cup of tea, a visit from a home carer can make all the difference.
Prevent Unnecessary Worry
When you work full-time, and you also have your own family to look after, or you live far away from your elderly relative, you might not be able to see them as regularly as you’d like. If you arrange for a home care team to visit once they’re home from the hospital, you won’t have to worry as much about how they’re coping. You will be able to read care notes after each visit, and this can provide peace of mind that your loved one is getting the help they need. So, you can rest assured knowing they are safe, happy and healthy.
Preventing Future Falls
After a fall, it’s important to determine areas of the house that present a danger so that the risk of falling again is reduced. Carers can identify areas and factors that may contribute to fall risks and make suggestions for improvements, for example, installing grab rails and mobility aids such as stair lifts, ensuring there is proper lighting, that loose rugs are kept down, and rearranging furniture for easier and safer navigation, or making the bathroom more accessible with additions like walk-in baths, floor-level showers, and non-slip flooring. Solutions like this help elderly individuals stay in their homes.
Arranging Home Care Support Services for a Loved One
If you haven’t considered arranging home support services for your elderly relative, it’s beneficial to look into how a home care agency can help them in more detail. Should you have any questions about the different types of in-home services available, feel free to contact our team at Beloved Homecare today. We provide quality care services in Trafford and the surrounding areas, and we will be happy to assist you and your loved one.
We can assure you that you won’t be disappointed in the care we provide, and our team is committed to meeting our clients’ expectations. We are the only care provider in Trafford to have an overall outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission too, and we provide the standard of care and support that our clients deserve.