We get calls everyday from children of aging parents whose loved ones have been hospitalized due to a fall, a stroke or an infection. They’re looking for answers: What happens if my parent can’t live on their own once they’re discharged? If they return home, will they need extra care? How will the care be paid for?
First, Stay In Touch, Stay Informed: A new article posted on agingcare.com addresses many of these questions, but emphasizes staying connected with both hospital staff and your parents’ doctors. Contact all of the nurses in charge as well as your parent’s hospital case manager and/or social worker. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you have about the care and treatment of your parent, while in the hospital and once they’re discharged.
What’s the next step? You’ll need to know if your parent will be going to a rehabilitation facility for further treatment, or will they be returning home? Either way, will there be follow-up health care in the home once they’re discharged? Depending on your parent’s condition, the doctor may prescribe a short period of in-home healthcare monitored by a skilled nurse, a physical therapist, even a home health aide or speech therapist. Many health insurance plans cover this kind of follow-up; if that’s not the case, find out why. In addition, you’ll need to know if there are any post-hospital equipment needs, such as a bed, a bedside commode, a shower-transfer chair or a wheelchair. Again, depending on your parent’s condition, this may be covered by the health insurance plan, but would probably need to be prescribed by the physician or case manager. Finally, you may want to consider a home care provider like Home Instead Senior Care to help your parent with bathing, meal preparation, etc. while recuperating at home. Non-medical home care is not covered by health insurance or Medicare. However, two options: if your parent has a long-term care insurance policy, so-called “homemaker services” may be included in the benefits. Also, if your parent is a veteran, check with a Veterans Service Officer in Los Angeles about aid and attendant benefits.
For more information, visit www.agingcare.com and call Home Instead Senior Care at 661-254-8701. Charlene Perrone is co-owner of the Santa Clarita/Antelope Valley office of Home Instead Senior Care, the world’s largest non-medical home care company.