Recovery from an operation takes time, especially for seniors. Not only do older bodies take longer to mend, but there are further factors that need to be considered: reduced mobility and a number of instructions to follow for dietary restrictions, medications, follow-up appointments, and physical activities, just to name a few. This is why the transition home from the hospital is such a crucial time – to ensure a smooth recovery without any complications.
A study conducted by IPC, The Hospitalist Company showed that around 20% of discharged patients needed help and support in at least one area that had the potential to hinder their recovery. Other comparable research has revealed that bringing in professional senior care at home during the transition from hospital to home can actually cut down on hospital readmissions.
At Dakota Home Care, we’re here to help older individuals with safe transitions home from the hospital. We can get started with post-discharge planning immediately after hospital admission to identify the senior’s needs, ensuring coordinated efforts and continuity of care.
We can work together with the hospital care team to create a recovery plan that includes:
- Medical concerns and how to respond to potential effects
- List of meds being taken, allergies and dietary restrictions
- Scheduled follow-up appointments
- Medical equipment
Once back at home, we offer a full range of customized home health care services, such as:
- Skilled nursing care
- Medication reminders to ensure prescriptions are taken as directed
- Errands like picking up prescriptions and groceries
- Meal planning and preparation
- Health condition monitoring and reporting of changes in condition
- Companionship
- And more
Below is just one example of a family we helped with our professional home care services:
Mrs. R’s adult daughter is an incredibly busy working mother. When Mrs. R required a surgical procedure, her daughter wasn’t sure how she would be able to manage her mother’s care post-discharge. Dakota Home Care was on hand to help.
Our home care team was available to ensure that the medical team’s orders were being followed, that meds were taken correctly and that no negative side effects were experienced. We provided reports after each visit to Mrs. R’s family, keeping them advised on her recovery and contacting them immediately if there was any cause for concern. Additionally, we continuously monitored Mrs. R’s plan of care for progress toward objectives and any adjustments in care that were necessary were brought to the physician’s attention.
We know that many older adults prefer to recover in the comfort of home. By partnering with you and following doctors’ instructions, Dakota Home Care’s staff can design a plan that is best for a senior you love.
As the leading caregiver agency in Bismarck, Mandan, and Fargo, our top priority is making the transition from hospital to home a smoother process, and ensuring that older adults are on the road to recovery. Reach out to us at (877) 691-0015 to request an in-home consultation to learn more about how we can help.