How In-Home Care Services Help Reduce Hospital Readmissions in Victoria, BC

Uncategorized  |  July 10, 2020

Readmission is one of the biggest concerns seniors face after being hospitalized due to an illness or injury. If you are providing care for an aging loved one who is about to be discharged, it is important to keep in mind that readmissions are entirely preventable when sticking to the provided post-hospital recovery plan.

Unfortunately, more than 12% of hospitalized seniors in Canada end up back in the hospital within 4 weeks after the initial discharge. Working with a professional caregiver can help your loved one in the first critical weeks during the transition and recuperation at home, ensuring readmission is completely avoided.

Here are some important factors you might want to consider when planning your loved one’s recovery at home:

Medication Management Is Essential

Many seniors struggle with keeping tabs on medication schedules, especially when new meds are introduced following a lengthy hospital stay. To prevent medication errors, a professional caregiver can provide useful medication reminders and help your parent keep a list of prescribed medications and correct dosages so that the information is readily available for healthcare professionals.

Follow Up Appointments Prevent Readmission

It is estimated that as much as two-thirds of readmitted elderly patients could have avoided returning to the hospital if they went to see their doctor when agreed. Some seniors miss their follow-ups because they have difficulties arranging transportation while others may simply forget to make or keep an appointment. Besides assisting with recovery, our dedicated caregivers can also provide incidental transportation and make sure your loved one does not miss their follow-ups.

Discharge Plans Only Work When Implemented Properly

Having a detailed discharge plan is crucial for a successful recovery. However, it can be difficult for both family caregivers and elderly patients to create the right conditions and systematically follow through with the plan once the senior is back home from the hospital.

Our trained caregiver can step in and help your loved one fully adhere to recovery instructions while keeping in touch with involved family members and medical professionals on a regular basis.

This way, we can take some of the stress off the family and elderly patient so they can focus on getting back on their feet as soon as possible. Having a knowledgeable, trained aide during post-hospital recuperation can go a long way in preventing readmission and ensuring a positive outcome.

Comfort Keepers Can Help

At Comfort Keepers of Victoria, our skilled caregivers provide encouragement, support physician-prescribed recovery regimens, and assist with numerous routines of daily living. We can develop meal plans and cook healthy, well-balanced meals, go grocery shopping, engage your loved one in favorite activities, provide companionship, and much more. Our goal is to gradually elevate your parent’s quality of life to the next level by focusing on their physical, mental, emotional, and social wellness.

Call our Victoria office today to learn more about our customized in-home care services and how we can help your senior loved one to continue living independently at home for longer.

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