It can be overwhelming for an elderly person when they are getting discharged from the hospital. Many elderly people start focusing on how they will handle recuperating at home. As a family caregiver, it is part of your duties to ensure their recovery is as easy as possible. You can start by asking their doctor a few questions. Keep reading to learn some things you might want to discuss with your elderly loved one’s doctor.

Who will be the advocate when my elderly loved one goes home?

Many people find that family and friends can help when it comes to advocating for an elderly loved one. However, if you don’t have this type of support team to help out, you can hire senior care services. In some cases, hospitals will also be able to assist a person by assigning a social worker to their case. Insurance companies might be able to give you assistance with resources that are available in your loved one’s community, too.

Should I consider senior care for my elderly loved one after they are discharged?

There are several things to consider when deciding if your elderly loved one will need senior care providers to help out at home after they leave the hospital. Some things to consider include the following:

• Is your elderly loved one strong enough to get around?
• Will your elderly loved one need help to go to the bathroom?
• Does your elderly loved one’s doctor want them to have physical therapy?

Many elderly people feel better, more alert, and stronger while in the hospital. However, after getting home, they might feel weaker and even a bit disoriented. In these cases, it might be best to hire outside help like professional senior care..

What medications will my elderly loved one need?

Many people leave the hospital with prescriptions in hand. Helping your elderly loved one manage their medications is essential. However, you shouldn’t worry too much about this. You can start by speaking with their doctor about the medications. For instance, you should ask them how often your elderly loved one will need to take their medication. The main thing is to ask their medical team any questions or speak to them about any concerns that you or your elderly loved one may have regarding their medications.

Conclusion

It can be overwhelming being discharged from the hospital, especially for an elderly person. As a family caregiver, you can do your part to ease some of the stress. No matter how prepared you are, however, it can still be overwhelming caring for a senior loved one. Consider senior care services for an elderly parent who has recently been discharged from the hospital. With these tips, you can help your elderly loved one do better when they get home from the hospital, as well.

Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4194477/

If you or an aging loved one is considering senior care in Ashburn, VA, please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hands today. (703) 782-3655.