For the average American aged 65+, the adage “there’s no place like home” certainly rings true. According to a recent survey conducted by the AARP, 77% of all older adults want to continue living right where they are for as long as possible. In general, seniors that age in place are happier and healthier than those who don’t. The remainder of this article will explore why more and more seniors are embracing the concept of “home is where the heart is”, along with examples of healthcare providers that are addressing those needs.
The Benefits of Receiving Care at Home
According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), hospital-at-home care was associated with greater satisfaction than acute hospital inpatient care for both patients and their families.
In addition to feeling more satisfied, other benefits of receiving care at home versus a hospital setting include:
- Familiarity/comfort with one’s surroundings
- Reduced isolation
- Lower costs
- Increased sense of independence
Because any change in setting can be highly disruptive, home is even more important to those living with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
Note: The term “home” may also include assisted living facilities or retirement communities. In other words, home refers to familiar surroundings where older individuals can be with their loved ones instead of recovering in an intrusive and sterile setting with other patients.
Introducing Hospital at Home®
Developed by Johns Hopkins Hospital, Hospital at Home® (HaH) is an innovative care model that delivers hospital-level care in a patient’s home as opposed to an acute care hospital. HaH has already been implemented at numerous sites across the US through VA hospitals, health systems, home care providers, and managed care programs.
As a means to cost-effectively treat acutely ill older adults, HaH is intended to improve patient safety, quality, and satisfaction. Compared to similar patients receiving care in an acute hospital setting, HaH participants have exhibited:
- Better clinical outcomes including lower rates of mortality
- Better satisfaction of patient and family
- Less caregiver stress
- Better functional outcomes
- Fewer lab and diagnostic tests
- Lower average length of stay
- Cost savings of 19% to 30%
Another Example of Care Shifting
Up until a few years ago, roughly 70% of Cleveland-based University Hospitals’ (UH) revenue was derived from inpatient hospital stays, while the remaining 30% came from home care or outpatient ambulatory settings. Today, those percentages are nearly reversed.
One of the main reasons for this turnaround is technological improvements that enable quality care at home that’s equivalent to that received in an acute care hospital. Other benefits include reduced medical costs for the patient and lower rates of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Along with these financial and clinical benefits, UH investigators have discovered that many patients now simply prefer to receive care in the comfort of their own homes.
How You Can Help
Although being hospitalized could cause your aging loved one to experience psychological, emotional, medical, and financial stress, there are times when it’s the best option. If they are experiencing symptoms like shortness of breath, abdominal cramps, or chest pain, it’s best to promptly take them to the emergency room.
In non-emergency situations when home care is indicated, there are certain steps you can take to make it a more pleasant and stress-free experience. For example, falls cause countless seniors to be hospitalized every year. Chronic conditions like COPD, diabetes or heart disease can not only contribute to falling they can also lead to unexpected trips to the hospital.
As an informal caregiver, learn about ways to prevent falls in the home. If your senior has a chronic health condition, help them manage their disease through medication compliance, diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes.
Learn to Thrive
Are you looking for guidance to provide care for a loved one? Do you know someone going into the hospital or coming home from one soon? Do you have a family member with a chronic condition? Let us help you navigate all of this, and more.
Get useful information for family caregivers on how to keep home as safe as possible, specific actions you can take to manage aspects of your health at home, common reasons why older adults use the emergency room, and how to reduce those incidents. Get your personal copy of Thriving at Home – A Handbook for Preventing Hospital Stays today!
Quality In-Home Care for Today’s Independent Seniors
Helping an independent loved one thrive at home isn’t easy when you can’t always be there. When you need some assistance, contact Assisting Hands Home Care. While proudly serving seniors and families in communities Northwest of Boston, Assisting Hands provides professional in-home health services that allow our clients to remain safely and comfortably in their own homes.
From a few hours a day to around the clock, our client-centered services include respite care, personal care, hospice care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, Parkinson’s support, and Veteran’s support. At Assisting Hands, we deliver quality home care you can trust! To learn more now about our dependable caregivers, or to schedule a consultation for a senior in our service area, please visit us at www.assistinghands.com.
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