Suppose an aging senior who has been hospitalized simply does not accept the situation they’re in, the diagnosis, or even what their doctor has recommended for recovery. In that case, it’s going to make recovery that much more difficult, if not impossible. It is also going to dramatically increase the risk of hospital readmissions. What is hospital readmission? When somebody has to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. Seeking help from home care providers can assist a senior through the process.
A readmission can happen for many reasons. Yes, they can happen due to unforeseen complications. They can happen due to an undiagnosed medical condition that may or may not be related to the reason the person was hospitalized in the first place. They can also be due to a lack of effort or following doctor’s instructions on the part of the senior once they are discharged.
So, how does a senior ‘accept’ this new journey to recovery that stands before them? How do they accept it if the recovery process could be months, possibly even years?
1. Accept the diagnosis or health issue.
If a person has been diagnosed with cancer, they will probably go through the five stages of grief. Until they reach acceptance, though, the path to getting treatment, if treatment is possible, becomes longer.
Whether the senior was hospitalized due to pneumonia, COVID-19, a heart attack, stroke, or anything else, they need to accept the diagnosis or whatever underlying health issue they now face. Only then can they truly embrace the recovery process.
2. Listen to the doctor and ask questions as needed.
When the doctor comes in to talk about their health situation and discharge, he or she will probably talk about a variety of instructions, prescription medications, and other steps the senior needs to take to recover.
The senior should pay attention. If there’s a family member who is supporting this individual, they should be included in the conversation, if the patient is okay with that.
If there’s anything the senior doesn’t understand they should ask questions. They should leave the hospital with a clear understanding of the situation, the recovery process, and the steps needed to get back to full health, if possible.
3. Find the right home care support.
An experienced home care aide can help your senior with a wide range of tasks, including ensuring that all doctor’s orders are followed and they are eating nutritious meals to improve recovery. Home care providers can provide mobility support and companionship as well, helping your senior mentally and physically.
4. Focus on one day at a time.
The senior should avoid trying to think in chunks of time, like months. Instead, keep a journal of progress and focus on one day at a time. In a few weeks, they can look back on their journal and see, that even though it doesn’t feel like it, they are truly making progress.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Putnam County TN please get in touch with the caring staff at Senior Solutions Home Care. (931) 208-1019
Senior Solutions Home Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Cookeville, Algood, Baxter, Monterey, Sparta, Smithville, Livingston, Dodson Branch, Gainesboro, Putnam County, and surrounding areas.
Over the years, we have expanded, providing service in all 95 counties throughout Tennessee, and we now have a growing presence in Georgia.
Senior Solutions is recognized as a top 5% independent agency and a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree in 2018, 2019, and 2020. These types of awards matter to us because they show growth in our goal of eventually touching a million lives. We’re excited to continue that growth and to touch even more families with our commitment to quality care!
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