Receiving short and long-term transitional care after a stay at the hospital helps your loved one eventually regain their independence. These transitional stays are not always easy for the patient or their family but are necessary to ensure functional mobility and complete healing are reached after experiencing a traumatic event.
Each patient’s road back to recovery is different in the amount of time spent in rehabilitative care. Undoubtedly, it is the goal of each team of dedicated health professionals to design a care plan that leads to regained strength and function without the threat of reinjury and rehospitalization.
Leaving the Transitional Care Environment
Making the transition home requires both mental and physical preparedness from everyone. Follow these expert tips to help your loved one experience the best homecoming possible.
Tip #1 — Encourage More Independence Leading Up to Release
A major priority for transitional care is to help patients reach a comfortable level of total independence again. As a loved one, you should encourage them to practice more independence in movement and function leading up to potential release dates.
The more your loved one is supported in developing healthy and safe movements to complete everyday tasks, the better. Skilled staff are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week to help your loved one, but eventually the need for their assistance will decrease as they get ready to return home. This is a good time to help your loved one feel confident performing everyday tasks in a healthy and safe environment where professional guidance is still readily available.
Tip #2 — Show Social Support and Sensitivity
Showing social support during those first few days and weeks back home helps your loved one feel cared for in their home environment. The medical team in an assisted living facility offers rehabilitative services to patients frequently, offering them plenty of social interaction.
Oftentimes, this interaction is good for them and helps them avoid feelings of isolation and total separation. Showing social sensitivity in your loved one’s first few weeks at home is knowing when social support is needed and when it’s best to allow space and quiet.
Tip #3 — Be Open to Listening and Communicating More Effectively
Take time to listen, and allow your loved one to voice their concerns or worries regarding the at-home protocol. The first few weeks of transitioning home are often the most vulnerable. Re-injury and rehospitalization occur more frequently than you might imagine. Good communication with your loved one and their medical team helps keep them on track with their care plan at home.
Post Acute Care Reduces Hospital Readmission
Overall, preventing hospital readmission is a major priority as excessive rehospitalization puts added strain on hospitals and staff juggling the needs of many patients. However, quality post-acute care treatment and rehabilitation through physical and occupational therapy helps dramatically reduce the number of reinjuries and returns to the hospital for emergency care or additional surgery.
By showing support in your loved ones recovery, you are not only helping them heal properly but also preventing them from the risk of hospital readmission.
South Coast Post Acute is Southern California’s Premier post-acute Partner
Better health and healing are possible with the right professional oversight and daily nutrition. At South Coast Post Acute, we deliver the services needed to restore health, regain autonomy and reduce the occurrences of rehospitalization.
South Coast Post Acute is here for you, at any age. Our innovative care, experienced staff, and welcoming accommodations combine to bring you the high level of care you’ve come to expect from Southern California’s leading post-acute provider.
Contact us today for more information on how we can help you on your journey back to restored health.