Hospitalization can be a difficult and stressful experience for both patients and their loved ones. After a hospital stay, patients often need extra care and support as they recover from their illness or injury. Family caregivers can provide this care, but it can be a challenging and overwhelming task for them to undertake alone. Fortunately, skilled nursing care at home can make caring for a family member after hospitalization easier for seniors and their families.
Understand the Patient’s Needs
Before the aging adult leaves the hospital, it’s vital to make sure that everyone involved understands the care plan and any instructions that have been given to the patient. This information might include medication schedules, dietary restrictions, wound care information, and physical therapy exercises or other follow-up care the patient might need. Having a clear understanding of the needs right after returning home helps family caregivers offer better care and avoid complications.
Get the Home Ready
Depending on the patient’s needs, there might need to be some changes made at home either before or right after discharge from the hospital. These changes help to make the environment safer and more accessible. It might involve installing handrails in the bathroom and in other areas, removing hazards that could cause tripping, and rearranging furniture to make room for assistive devices like walkers or wheelchairs.
Get Help from Skilled Nursing Professionals
Caring for an aging family member after hospitalization can be challenging, especially for people who are not familiar with the medical aspects of their care. Skilled nursing professionals can provide a range of services, including wound care, medication management, and personal care tasks. They can also provide education and support to family caregivers, helping them feel more confident in their ability to provide care.
Practice Self-care
A good rule of thumb is for anyone in a caregiving situation to practice good self-care as much as possible. Caring for someone else can be physically and emotionally exhausting, so it’s vital to eat well, sleep well, and take breaks whenever necessary. Family caregivers should consider whether joining a support group would be helpful, and they should definitely take advantage of respite care options whenever possible.
Communicate with Healthcare Providers
Staying in touch with healthcare providers ensures that any changes are passed along and complications are avoided. Family caregivers can sometimes feel intimidated about what information is important to share with medical providers and what isn’t. Skilled nursing care helps families to know that their aging family member’s healthcare providers are aware of exactly what is happening and that the care plan is updated as necessary. This ensures that follow-up visits and appointments are more likely to go well, too.
Caring for a family member after a hospitalization can be both challenging and overwhelming, but it’s a lot easier with the right help. Skilled nursing professionals know what to watch out for and how to help their patients to heal safely and quickly. Knowing that patients are in good hands can help family members to relax and focus on spending time with the people they love.
If you or someone you know needs skilled nursing care in St. Cloud, MN, contact Adara Home Health. We provide quality and affordable home care services for many fragile or senior members in the communities we serve. Call us at (888) 660-5772 for more information.