Three Ways Home Care Can Help Older Adults Avoid Hospital Readmission

If you are just returning home from a hospital stay, the last thing you want is another visit to the hospital or emergency room. 

At Hebrew SeniorLife Home Health, our goal is to prevent older adults from returning to the hospital by providing the in-home medical treatment, therapy, and help with essential activities they need to recover. Whether you or a loved one is diagnosed with a new illness, recovering from surgery, or chronically or terminally ill, home health care services can be invaluable.

What is home health care?

Home health care, which can also be known as visiting nurses, sends registered nurses and nursing aides to your home to provide skilled care. It is sometimes recommended by doctors after a hospitalization and can include wound care; medication management; IV therapy; physical, occupational, and speech therapies; palliative care; and more. A doctor’s referral is required and services are typically covered by Medicare and most private insurance plans.

What are the risks to older adults returning home after a hospital visit?

Since Hebrew SeniorLife specializes in caring for older adults, we understand how easy it is to end up in the hospital or emergency room. If you don’t have anyone to monitor your progress or make sure you’re taking care of yourself after a hospital stay, you may find yourself making frequent trips back to the emergency room. 

While all of us would like to avoid trips to the ER, it’s even more important for older adults. Hospitals themselves pose an increased risk of infection for older adults. Plus, if you or your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease or memory issues, there are also increased risks for disorientation and depression. One of the major benefits of home care is that it helps avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, keeping you recovering where you’re most comfortable. 

How home health care prevents hospital readmissions

So how can older adults avoid being readmitted to the hospital after their original stay, and how does home health care help? Here are three ways home health care can make a difference: 

Fall prevention guidance

According to the National Council on Aging, one in four Americans aged 65+ falls each year. Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in an emergency room for a fall. If you have just returned home from a hospital stay, you may be weaker due to spending a lot of time in bed. You may feel unsteady on your feet, making falls an even bigger concern. 

Clinical care is key. In-home physical therapy can assess and improve your mobility and strength. In some cases, coaching on properly using assistive devices such as crutches or a walker can also be beneficial. 

In addition, home health can help remove fall hazards from your home. A member of our home health team can evaluate the home to assess any areas that could be a risk for someone who is unsteady. They can also provide recommendations for adaptive equipment, like grab bars, railings, and shower chairs.

Medication management 

Many older adults take multiple medications to manage chronic conditions. They are especially vulnerable to making medication errors or forgetting to take their medications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adverse drug events, or harm resulting from medication usage, cause more than 1.5 million visits to the ER each year.

The time after a hospital stay can be especially dangerous for older people, who may be coming home with new medications and a new routine to get used to. Home health nurses can help create a medication plan and ensure that it is followed. 

Support with following doctor’s orders

After hospitalization, doctors often prescribe specific activities to keep the patient on the road to health. This can include follow-up care with multiple providers, monitoring vital signs or symptoms, and complications to watch out for. Home health care can help explain aftercare and follow-up appointments.

Hebrew SeniorLife Home Health staff work hand-in-hand with hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and community-based primary care providers to ensure coordinated care. Collaboration is key to keeping seniors on the path to wellness and avoiding that dreaded trip to the ER.

Compassionate Home Health throughout Greater Boston 

If you or a loved one needs support at home, we’re here for you. At Hebrew SeniorLife, we have become experts in managing transitions of care that may occur as patients’ needs change. 

Our goals are your goals — better health, great quality of life, and staying out of the hospital or emergency room! Contact us online today to learn how Hebrew SeniorLife Home Health can support your needs. 

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