Re-hospitalization can be traumatizing for seniors; however, it can be avoided. The decision to either stay home or move to an alternative location for care can be complicated for senior citizens with multiple chronic conditions. By providing integrated home care services, it can reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and readmission. According to BMC Geriatrics, home care services significantly reduces unnecessary hospitalizations for older adults. Whether you have home care or are living alone, these tips can help you to reduce hospitalization or readmission.
Prevent Falls:
Most commonly found in the elderly population, Vitamin D deficiency is linked to the proximal muscle groups, which often give the sensation of heaviness in the legs. The progressive loss of muscle strength is a repercussion of falling and non-vertebral fractures in older adults. Alternatively, fall prevention can be as simple as creating a safe living environment. Cleaning up clutter, removing tripping hazards and installing grab bars or handrails are some ways to prevent falls at home.
Eliminate Medication Errors:
According to the Patient Safety Network, nearly 5 percent of patients hospitalized experience an adverse drug events and make up 88 percent of emergency hospital admissions. Proper management of medication not only prevents hospitalization, but it also reduces medicare penalties. Consider speaking with your pharmacist or doctors about a medication therapy management program that supervises discharged patients’ medication regimens. Home care services provide assistance with medication safety and reminders, as well as contact health care providers for medication refills or changes.
Obtain Home Health Care Services:
Compared to those living with others, adults who live alone have an increased chance of re-hospitalization. Therefore having an aide at home can cut your chances of re-hospitalization in half. Home health aides enhance transitional care from the hospital to your home by providing assistance with medication, transportation and communication with your doctor or health care provider.
Our Director of Business Development for Spring Hills Home Care Services, Nick Banar, explains that, “Whether your loved one is transitioning home from the hospital or rehab or moving into an assisted living community, there are a lot of risk factors that result in hospital readmissions during these stressful times. We understand what puts older adults at risk for re-hospitalization and combat these risks head on with our 72 Hour Transitional Risk Management Program. At Spring Hills Home Care Services, we have been able to reduce hospital readmissions to less than 2%!”
At Spring Hills Senior Communities, we hold hospitalization seminars that are focused on educating our seniors on how to reduce hospitalization, which allow them to foster a stronger mind, body and spirit.