Recovery can be a challenging process.
Many health providers are trying to help patients minimize their time in hospital settings to prevent exposure to coronavirus. Patients and hospitals have been postponing many types of surgeries, but fortunately, in our area, many of these procedures are now being scheduled.
If your loved one requires surgery, they should be protected from unnecessary risks to limit the spread of the virus. One of the best ways to do that is to plan for hospital discharge before surgery to ensure a smooth transition home.
Clinical teams want to keep patients in the hospital long enough to ensure they can leave safely, but that doesn’t mean they are fully recovered. Many patients are skipping the usual time in rehab to further minimize risk. Postoperative care has always been an important part of the recovery process. A smooth transition from the hospital to home can also help avoid exposure to the virus.
Home care services are making it easier to recover at home in safety after surgery. See why families are increasingly using home care services for postoperative patients below.
Understanding the Benefits of Postoperative Home Care
- Adhering to discharge orders: One of the challenges with postoperative care and avoiding rehospitalization is following through with the doctor’s orders. It can be challenging to follow through with a new routine, manage medications, and keep in contact with their doctors at home. Professional caregivers can help make sure your loved one is following through with their care after discharge.
- Daily assistance: Caregivers can offer support with a range of daily activities, including bathing and dressing.
- Medication Reminders. Medications often change when someone is in the hospital, and it can be difficult transitioning to a new routine, filling prescriptions, or remembering when to take them. Caregivers can provide helpful medication reminders and run errands to ensure patients receive their proper prescription.
- Fall prevention: Falling can hinder the healing process and is often one of the leading causes of rehospitalization. Having a caregiver assist the patient at home after surgery for the first several days or longer can help prevent falls, provide mobility assistance, and promote healing.
- Transportation: Professional caregivers can also help patients by running errands, visiting the pharmacy, getting groceries, or driving them to follow-up appointments. This allows the patient to recover at home and maintain social distancing by relying on one point of contact for care and assistance.
- Meal Preparation: A healthy recovery involves eating a nutritious diet. Caregivers can prepare meals that follow dietary restrictions to meet the patient’s needs.
- Clear communication: The road to recovery isn’t a path one takes alone. Caregivers backed up by the WFC Nurses help keep family members informed of their loved one’s condition and provide peace of mind. They are also trained to identify any irregularities during recovery that you and the doctors should be aware of.
When Should Discharge Planning Begin?
Before you or a loved one goes into the hospital, you should be planning on returning home. To get the most out of recovering at home, start the process before discharge. It takes a team-effort to transition safely from the hospital to home.
At Westchester Family Care, we understand that lining up care and leaving the hospital can be stressful for families. When you contact our staff prior to discharge, we will work with you and the hospital to ensure your loved one has a smooth transition home, including:
- Help with arranging transportation from the hospital to their home
- Ensuring all prescriptions and filled and understood before leaving
- Help accessing and setting up any medical devices needed in the home
- Reviewing the home before the patient’s return for falling hazards or mobility issues
- Following CDC recommendations to prevent spreading viral transmission
Have more questions about developing a discharge plan including home care? Contact Westchester Family Care today at 914-764-7500.