Bringing Elderly Parents Home from the Hospital

After a stay in the hospital, your elderly loved one may need a bit of assistance transitioning back to life in their own home. Whether they live with you or live independently, it is important that you understand the kind of eldercare that they will require. Below are a few tips for helping your loved one to settle into their home without compromising their health or safety.

1. Talk to your loved one's doctors before they come home to ensure that you understand the degree of care that your senior will need. Depending upon the severity of their condition or the recovery period associated with their hospital stay, you may need to think about homecare services if your loved one needs more attention than you can provide. 
2. Make sure that the living space your loved one returns to is comfortable. Before picking your senior up from the hospital, take the time to tidy their home. Vacuuming, straightening up odds and ends, and dusting can go far in creating a more comfortable living space in which your senior can recover. 
3. Remember that care for elderly individuals entails more than simply sitting with them throughout the day—particularly if they are recovering from surgery or an injury. Think about the extent to which you can care for your senior and call upon homecare professionals to help fill any gaps in care that you cannot provide. For instance, if your loved one is not able to walk, you may need help lifting your senior during bathing and dressing routines. 
4. Make certain that your senior has transportation to all of their follow-up appointments with their doctor. It is crucial to their recovery that they receive ongoing medical care if necessary. If you are spearheading efforts to assist your senior in the healing process, call upon friends, family members, and professionals to assist you in ensuring that your senior is able to make all doctor's appointments. 

Bringing your senior home from the hospital can be overwhelming, as you certainly do hold a great deal of responsibility when helping your loved one through the healing process. But with the right approach—and assistance from eldercare professionals—you can provide the care that your loved one needs.