4 Ways Senior Caregivers Simplify Hospital-to-Home Transitions

Senior caregiver services aren’t just for the home—they’re also one of the best ways to smooth the transitions between care settings.

Read on to learn 4 ways we simplify hospital-to-home transfers and reduce the risks of readmissions, or call (262)-439-8616 to speak directly with a caregiver coordinator in Brookfield, WI.

4 ways senior caregivers simplify hospital-to-home transitions

Without the support of qualified caregivers, hospital-to-home transfers put seniors at risk of:

• Medical miscommunications—According to a 2018 report published by the International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, only 33% of patients reported having clear prescriptions during hospital-to-home transfers, while 16% described instructions from health care providers as “ambiguous” (Meyer-Massetti et al., 2018, p. 1614).But with our senior caregivers by their side, you’ll never have to worry. At your request, we can sit in during consultations and discharges to take notes and request additional information that may be needed. Should you have further questions in need of clarification, we can also simplify bookings and schedule reminders, and provide support with any transportation or tech needed for follow-up appointments or telehealth consultations.
• Malnutrition—According to one study by Health Affairs, nearly half of all hospitalized patients in the US end up malnourished after prolonged hospital stays, and senior patients frequently bring these problems home with them, as low energy levels make it even harder to prepare fresh, healthy meals on a regular basis. To get your loved ones back on track, our caregivers can take care of all of the shopping, cooking, and clean-up, preparing fresh-and-healthy meals to taste with fast food convenience, and making mealtimes fun again. We can also monitor your loved one’s diet and weight, alerting family members to any issues without delay, and we’ll help implement any special diet plans recommended by your healthcare provider. To promote your loved one’s independence and help them maintain their healthy eating habits between visits, we’ll even stock the fridge and cupboards with quick and nutritious snacks.
• Delirium—Room transfers and transitions to different care settings are associated with an increased incidence of delirium amongst senior patients, according to BMC Geriatrics.Fortunately, delirium can be prevented and managed, and our caregivers are trained to do just that. While the change of care settings can be confusing, having a familiar face by their side can prevent any triggers on transfer day. Once they’re back home, we will provide frequent reorientation, early and recurrent mobilization, pain management, adequate nutrition and hydration, and conditions conducive to deep, restorative sleep, all of which are recommended by American Family Physician to reduce delirium risk.
• Slip-and-fall injuries—Prolonged hospitalization and immobilization can lead to significant decreases in balance, muscle and bone density for seniors, which makes them more vulnerable to slip-and-fall injuries during transitions between different care settings. But all falls can be prevented, and our caregivers are one of the most effective interventions out there. In addition to providing safe transportation and physical support on the trip back home, we can help you fall-proof the home care environment by decluttering, ensuring proper lighting, installing grip bars and anti-slip mats, and taking care of light home maintenance and other fall-prone activities. Once that’s done, we can focus on fall-proofing your loved ones by reintroducing physical activity and daily exercise to rebuild strength, balance, and resilience.

Book a free consultation with caregivers in Brookfield, WI

Our transitional care encompasses a broad range of support services designed to promote the safe, timely, and comfortable transfer of patients between levels of health care or across care settings.

To learn more and get a free quote on any caregiver services, call (262)-439-8616 or fill out our online contact form.

References

Everett, W., Badaracco, C., & McCauley, S. (2020, January 24). From hospital to home: Why nutrition counts. Health Affairs.

Goldberg, A., Straus, S. E., Hamid, J. S., & Wong, C. L. (2015). Room transfers and the risk of delirium incidence amongst hospitalized elderly medical patients: a case–control study. BMC Geriatrics, 15(1), 1-9.

Meyer-Massetti, C., Hofstetter, V., Hedinger-Grogg, B., Meier, C. R., & Guglielmo, B. J. (2018). Medication-related problems during transfer from hospital to home care: baseline data from Switzerland. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 40(6), 1614-1620.