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| :: Preparing for a Loved One to Come Home From the Hospital :: |
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Providing care at home for a loved one who has just been released from the hospital can be a stressful and frightening experience for the untrained family caregiver. To help caregivers prepare a plan for the transition from hospital to home, The Visiting Nurse Regional Health Care System (VNR) has issued a series of tips providing advice on what to do when a loved one is released from the hospital. VNR is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing outstanding home health care to the people of the New York Metropolitan Area.
?At VNR, we know that taking care of a loved one who has just come home from the hospital can present a vast array of problems ? particularly if the caregivers are not adequately prepared for the added responsibilities and stress,? said Jane Gould, President and CEO of VNR. ?Fortunately, there are many available resources to help. VNR?s tips can help make the caregivers? experience less daunting and a more positive one for themselves and their loved one.?
INFORMATION AND TIPS: WHEN THE PATIENT COMES HOME
? Plan ahead. Make sure to meet the health care team (physicians, nurses, social workers, case managers, physical therapist and discharge planners) while the patient is still in the hospital. Begin to plan for the homecoming BEFORE the patient is discharged.
? Ask questions of the medical staff. Will the patient need services like physical therapy; a nutrition counseling program; or other special care? Is the home a safe environment for the patient in his/her current medical condition?
? Find out the patient?s physical or psychological limitations. Ask the doctor or nurse to evaluate the patient and explain what s/he will and will not be able to do after release from the hospital. This assessment will help determine how much care will be needed immediately after discharge and during the first weeks.
? Involve the patient in planning. Make sure to discuss the home care plan with the patient so any alterations to the home environment or other changes will not be overwhelming or cause confusion. For instance, if you have to relocate a house pet while the patient is recovering, or if it?s necessary to remove or rearrange furniture, the patient should understand the reason for it and agree to it.
? Don?t take on responsibilities you cannot handle. Is it realistic to take on the responsibility of homecare coupled with your career and/or family obligations? If you need a home care agency, make sure the organization is certified by New York State AND is accredited by a responsible organization such as the Community Healthcare Accreditation Program, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations or Medicare.
? Don?t be afraid to ask for help. Support is available. Organizations like VNR can put you in touch with support groups that offer help for caregivers and patients alike, provide answers to insurance questions, about getting a home health aide and physical therapist, and identify other services that may be available at low cost or no cost. Groups like VNR can also do a physical home assessment to make sure that your home is a safe environment for your loved one, particularly after surgery.
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About Visiting Nurse Regional Health Care System (VNR): The Visiting Nurse Regional Health Care System is comprised of The Visiting Nurse Association of Brooklyn, (VNAB) which was established in 1888 and Empire State Home Care Services. VNAB is the oldest certified home health agency in New York City and the fourth oldest in the United States. To learn more about what the VNR offers and how we can help you, please visit us at www.vnrhcs.org.
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HealthNewsDigest.com |
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