If your elderly loved one is scheduled for a hospital stay, it’s best to be prepared. The more prepared your family is, the better the experience could be. Planning ahead could also increase your loved one’s odds of a quick recovery. Here are some tips you can use when planning a hospital stay for your loved one.
1. Discuss the Benefits
Many seniors are afraid of staying in the hospital because of past issues or myths they’ve heard. Speak with your loved one about the treatment process prior to checking him or her into the hospital. Make sure to list the details of the procedure to help your loved one understand how the hospital stay might enhance his or her health going forward. When seniors understand the benefits of staying in the hospital, they may be less likely to resist being hospitalized.
Living with serious health conditions can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Tucson seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more.
2. Pack Comfort Items
Bring a few familiar things to provide comfort while your loved one is away from home and recovering from surgery, illness, or an injury. The items could boost your loved one’s mood when he or she is feeling down or increase confidence and strength when he or she is feeling scared and doubtful. Here are some of the most common comfort items seniors want to have with them while staying at a hospital:
- Pillow or blanket
- Lucky trinket
- Family photo
- Comfortable clothing, pajamas, and accessories
- Smartphone and other web-enabled device
- Toiletries
3. Take Time Off
Being alone in the hospital is a big fear for many seniors, which is why family caregivers need to schedule time off from work and other personal commitments. Plan to visit your loved one daily. If you’re able to stay all night at the hospital, make it a point to do so, as it could calm your loved one and make him or her feel loved. If you aren’t able to take time off, create a schedule for siblings and other family members, choosing times when you all will take turns visiting your loved one during the hospital stay.
4. Get Physically & Mentally Prepared
Speak with the doctor and learn what your loved one should do prior to being checked into the hospital. The doctor may suggest a specific diet plan and exercise routine. Most procedures are planned weeks or months ahead of time, allowing family caregivers to get their loved ones physically and mentally prepared. Speaking with medical providers, friends, and family who can provide insight into the procedure may make your loved one feel more confident and less reluctant about the hospital stay.
While some age-related issues require medical treatment, others can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home care. There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional senior home care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.
5. Develop a Transition Routine
Begin planning for life after your loved one’s release from the hospital. Seniors who have smooth transitions from the hospital to their homes often have successful and quick recoveries instead of ending up back in the hospital for recurrences of their original conditions or other complications. When it comes to developing a good transition routine for seniors, family caregivers should focus on:
- Discharge dos and don’ts from medical providers
- Medication management
- Bedtime and napping schedules
- Meal prep
- In-home care
After your loved one returns home, keeping track of his or her conditions and medications can be challenging, and a home caregiver can be a fantastic source of support. Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Tucson home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Home Care Assistance is here to help. If you need professional home care for your loved one, our Care Managers are just a phone call away. Reach out to Home Care Assistance today at (520) 276-6555.