What Are Your Care Options After a Hospital Stay?
If you’ve recently been admitted to the hospital and will need short-term or long-term care after your hospital stay, there are several options depending on your circumstances and the level of care required.
Whether you’ve just had surgery and will need assistance with medications, changing bandages, and light chores around the house for a few weeks, or you anticipate more intensive, around-the-clock care, you have a range of options to choose from.
The team at Aging Gracefully has put together a list of care options available to you or a loved one after a hospital stay. There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution for recovery, and it’s important to thoroughly understand your daily requirements, on a personal and medical level, before deciding which care option is best.
At-home care services
A home health aide is a licensed medical professional who visits your home to provide the care you need. They will usually visit once a day, but this can be modified depending on your unique circumstances. Home health services are often used when someone is recovering from an operation, injury, illness, or if someone has limited mobility and needs help with certain things around the house. Home health aides can be very helpful for older adults who live alone, and when family members aren’t always available to stop by and check in on their loved ones.
Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs)
These facilities are generally for people who have complex medical conditions or injuries and require a high level of care 24/7. If your loved one will require intensive and professional medical care following their stay in the hospital, a SNF is probably the best choice for them.
They’ll have dedicated medical professionals who are equipped to care for them, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing they’re being properly cared for day and night. People often stay in SNFs immediately following release from the hospital, then after several weeks or months of recuperation, are able to move into an environment with a slightly less intense level of care, such as an assisted living community.
Assisted living communities
Assisted living communities are extremely diverse in the levels of care they provide. Many people incorrectly assume that assisted living is only for people who want to permanently move in. But actually, many assisted living communities care for people who have recently had a hospital stay and require a certain level of care before returning home. These communities help with transportation to doctors’ visits, medication management, dining, and other daily tasks of living while providing companionship in a social community setting.
Understanding different levels of care for NJ seniors
Many assisted living facilities in New Jersey provide customized levels of care to each resident. Whether they’re staying temporarily after hospitalization, or on a permanent basis, the staff members on-site can easily adjust care to fit their schedules and preferences.
Many older adults are delighted to find that assisted living allows them to retain their independence and continue pursuing their hobbies. It also brings peace of mind to know that caregivers are onsite, around the clock to help them with both medical and personal needs when necessary.
Original content published: https://umcommunities.org/assisted-living/what-are-your-care-options-after-a-hospital-stay/
