In-Home Care Can Help Reduce Hospital Readmissions

Hospital readmissions after discharge after an illness or injury is a serious issue for seniors. However, it is important for seniors and their loved ones to remember that in many cases, readmission is avoidable and can be prevented with a thoughtful post-hospital care plan.
Nearly one-fifth of all Medicare patients in the United States who are discharged from the hospital end up returning within 30 days. We need to be focused on finding ways to reduce these numbers and educate patients about how to have a healthier recovery at home.
For many seniors, this means having a quality caregiver that can help them overcome some of the main preventable causes for returning to the hospital. Consider the following:
Medication is critical: Some seniors need assistance taking medication in the right amount on the correct schedule. When you consider that, on average, seniors with chronic conditions fill 50 different prescriptions annually, it is not difficult to imagine how someone could get confused when a new medication is added to their regimen.
Follow up visits prevent readmission: A full two-thirds of patients readmitted to the hospital would have avoided that trip if they had seen their physicians within two weeks for follow up. The reasons for not following up vary but can include transportation difficulties and forgetting to make or keep appointments. Caregivers can provide transportation to appointments and keep track of any post-care visits.
Discharge plans only work when implemented properly: Having a discharge plan for the patient before he or she leaves the hospital can be crucial for recovery, but it can be difficult for seniors and their family members to focus on the plan during the stress of the illness and discharge.
Having a helping hand during recovery can ensure positive outcomes and a return to an active, engaged life. Family members, friends and neighbors are often willing to serve as a post-hospital recovery caregiver, but there is professional help available for those that don’t have someone nearby to assist them.
Myles McNamara is the owner of Comfort Keepers In-Home Care and can be reached at (661) 287-4200.