Taking the time to plan the type of care that you or a loved one needs after a hospital discharge is important to think about but is often pushed aside or forgotten.
These plans are important to implement to lessen the chances of readmission and ensure that your home or a secondary facility is as safe and comforting as possible for you.
What You Need to Think About Before Your Hospital Discharge?
After your stay in the hospital, it would be typical to have a discussion with your attending physician about your next steps. There are many things that you should take into consideration.
Safety- Is your home a safe environment for your recovery? Taking a moment to think and evaluate if you have anything such as steps, stairs or any other factors that could limit your mobility in your home that may create everyday challenges. Will there be friends or family available to assist your transition? If not, consider moving into a post-acute care facility to help you lead a safe and comfortable recovery.
Doctor’s Appointments- Taking the time to ask your doctor about the next steps in your medical care before you leave the hospital is important. Ensure to cover when a follow-up appointment will be needed and if a rehabilitation care facility is necessary to aid your recovery. Be sure to have you or a loved one take notes to refer to if you have any questions later.
Equipment– Does your recovery require at-home medical equipment? If you will need a shower chair, walker or a commode, be sure to ask your medical professional and evaluate what options will be best depending on the amount of equipment your recovery requires.
Care Management- Will you need further assistance in managing your care? Hospitalization can be disorienting and often time requires assistance in managing your care needs so that you can get back on your feet. A rehabilitation care facility or skilled nursing facility can ensure that you get the assistance that you need to feel comfortable and that you are leading a healthy recovery post-hospital discharge.
Planning for Your Discharge
Your discharge plan should start with recognizing if you will still need care after leaving the hospital. Allowing family members to be a part of your recovery is important and can help you have a smoother recovery post-discharge. There will be a transition of care after you are discharged that will take place, which means there will be a different level of medical care outside of the hospital.
Options for Post-Discharge Care
Different options for post-discharge care include:
- Returning home with a family member – Having the help of a family member as a caretaker will help work with your doctors to manage the care that you require in your home. Whether this means assistance with an at-home nurse, machines, or medications as needed, there should be assistance in your recovery.
- Relocating to an assisted living center – There are many different secondary facilities to aid you in your recovery, this includes skilled nursing facilities for continuing care, rehabilitation centers, or post-acute facilities.
- Transferring to a skilled nursing facility – Ensure that you choose a high-quality patient recovery with personalized care plans, a clean and attractive environment, and wellness-centered activities is important to consider when choosing a post-acute care facility.
At South Coast Post Acute, we have been providing a combination of world-class treatment with exceptional care for patients. We deliver specialized, quality care with compassion and spirit. We treat patients like family and have an unparalleled passion and commitment to ensuring our patients receive exceptional compassionate care every time, every touch. We are the premier choice for skilled nursing communities in Southern California.
Real People. Remarkable Care. South Coast Post Acute.