Helping your elderly patient readjust after a hospital stay

Becoming institutionalised after spending a spell in hospital is one of the major difficulties faced by many elderly people on returning home from a spell in hospital. Hospitals run on routines, and elderly people could get used to having meals prepared and served at set times, with little choice over what you eat. Their care needs would met by the hospital staff, and they could become acclimatised to the routine of waking and lights out at set times. This may be very different to their life previously when they were at home. The thought of returning home, being alone or facing life needing help can be daunting. This is where the benefits of a fully trained live in carer can help alleviate many of these worries. A carer would be there to work at your loved one’s pace to make the changes you want or need to carry on in your own home.

The ‘No place like home’ report states that 97% of people would wish to remain in their own home given a choice. A fully trained live in carer who is specially trained to support an elderly person could help to facilitate this.

A live in carer could offer much more just care. They could act as a companion, a friendly ear and this daily interaction could be something that, having interacted with others on the hospital ward, could be a welcome change to arriving at home from a hospital stay to an empty home. Often, elderly people could find it difficult to readjust from a long hospital stay, and just knowing there is someone else in the house should they need assistance can be comforting.

A live in carer could support someone returning home from hospital with both medical and personal needs. They can be there to help with many tasks from basic personal care such as washing and dressing at a time you choose, without waiting for visits from drop in carers, to helping elderly people host for friends. They could even help with garden or pet care. Often, being in hospital can leave a person feeling helpless, but a carer can not only help a patient readjust after a discharge, they could also help an elderly patient to readjust slowly into doing things for themselves again, instead of them having to handle everything themselves as soon as they arrive back home.

Perhaps more importantly though is the emotional support that they can give a patient after a long stay in hospital. The companionship and support could help an elderly patient remain active and mentally engaged.

According to the Live In Care Hub (www.liveincarehub.co.uk), live in care, also known as 24hr home care, could be the ideal solution for the elderly to be able to retain their sense of independence whilst receiving the support they need. Perhaps this is something to consider if your elderly relative is nearing the end of a long hospital stay?

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