A hospitalization, whether planned or unplanned, can be a source of great stress and worry for both the patient, and the family who may be needed to help with care giving when the patient is discharged. Using the services of a home health aide can often reduce the stress and help to support the patient’s recovery.
After a stay in the hospital, some patients are discharged to a rehabilitation facility or a nursing home for therapy before returning home. But many patients can now recuperate in the comfortable and familiar surroundings of their own home with the support of a home health aide. Home health aides of today have been trained to successfully support a patient’s recovery by:
- Cueing, motivating and supporting patients as they transition to independence
- Encouraging medication compliance by providing medication reminders, taking the patient to the pharmacy or picking up prescriptions
- Providing supervision and an extra measure of confidence as the patient resumes more activity and exercise
- Ensuring that the home is a good recovery environment by performing housekeeping tasks such as laundry, meal preparation and light housekeeping
- Assisting the patient with activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing and transferring from bed to chair
- Providing an assessment of the home environment for hazards that might cause a fall such as scatter rugs, wires or floor clutter
- Transporting and accompanying the patient to the doctor, outpatient rehabilitation facility or other outside activities such as the hairdresser or barber
- Supporting the patient’s family by providing peace of mind when family members must work, live at a distance or have childcare or other responsibilities that make it difficult to assist with care giving
The home health aides of HomeCare, Inc. have been specially trained to assist patients newly discharged from the hospital. They can even visit the patient while still in the hospital to allow for a smooth and comfortable transition home. To refer a patient, visit the “Arrange for Care” section of this website and fill out the secure on-line referral form. We will be happy to follow up and provide all the details needed for a safe recuperation from the hospital.