Why After-Hospital Care at Home is Key to a Safe & Speedy Recovery for Grand Junction, Colorado Seniors
Recovering after a hospital stay? Learn how post-hospital home care supports a safe, smooth recovery, reduces complications, and prevents readmission. Discover the benefits of after-hospital care at home.
Leaving the hospital is a significant step in your recovery, but the healing process doesn’t stop there. Proper after-hospital care at home is essential for a smooth recovery, reducing the risk of complications and hospital readmission. In fact, research indicates that people receiving home healthcare services have a considerably lower risk of being readmitted to the hospital within 30 days compared to those who do not receive such care; this reduction can be as high as 60% in some studies.
Keep reading to discover why post-hospital home care is crucial and how it can support a faster, safer return to daily life for seniors and other adults in Grand Junction and the surrounding Colorado communities. .
What is Post Hospital Care in Grand Junction?
After-hospital care—also known as post-hospital care, transitional care, in-home recovery care, or post-hospital home care—refers to the support seniors and other adults need after being discharged from the hospital to ensure a safe and smooth recovery at home.
After surgery or a hospital stay, many individuals prefer to recover at home, where they feel most comfortable. However, since they are still in the healing process, it’s essential to follow their doctor’s recommendations closely to regain strength. Depending on their condition, they may need additional support for a short period or several months.
Every situation is different, which means that every person's in-home recovery care needs will be different. Transitional care services can include a wide variety of services, such as:
Assistance with implementing the patient’s recovery plan
Coordination with medical staff
Medication reminders
Transportation
Light Housekeeping
Family members often step in to help with in-home recovery care, and in some cases, their support may be enough. However, professional transitional care is often necessary to ensure a safe and smooth recovery. If loved ones lack the time, skills, or energy to provide proper care, hiring an in-home recovery professional can be the best way to promote healing, prevent complications, and support a faster return to daily life.
The Benefits of Post-Hospital Home Care in Grand Junction
Post-hospital home care doesn’t just make a patient’s life easier; it has been scientifically proven to improve recovery outcomes.
The benefits of post-hospital home care include:
Comfort of home. Most people prefer to recover in the comfort of their own home, surrounded by loved ones in a familiar setting. A 2018 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that people who received in-home recovery care experienced significantly less stress than those who remained in the hospital for an extended period.
Personalization. Everyone has unique needs after a hospital stay, and at-home care allows for greater personalization than hospital-based recovery. Unlike hospitals, transitional care services are not restricted by schedules, staffing, or resource limitations. This flexibility enables patients to receive fully customized care tailored to their routines, preferences, and recovery plans.
Safety. Recovery is a critical phase of healing, and post-hospital home care significantly improves the chances of a safe and smooth recovery. In-home care ensures that patients receive the supervision needed to follow their doctor’s recovery plan while reducing risks such as falls, infections, and medication errors. Transitional care professionals can provide medication reminders, assist with hygiene, and support daily living activities to enhance safety.
Independence. Recovering at home empowers seniors and other adults to take an active role in their healing process. With support from a family member or professional caregiver, patients maintain more control over their daily lives. As their health improves, they can gradually resume more tasks on their own, fostering a sense of independence and autonomy.
Community. Hospital stays can feel isolating, but at-home recovery allows patients to stay connected with friends and family. Without hospital visitation restrictions, loved ones can visit freely, and with transportation assistance, patients can continue participating in social activities aligned with their recovery plan.
Cost-effectiveness. Hospital bills add up quickly, especially for extended stays. In contrast, post-hospital home care is significantly more affordable while providing greater comfort. Hiring a professional for transitional care services costs only a fraction of what a prolonged hospital stay would.
Improved recovery outcomes. The greatest advantage of post-hospital home care is improved recovery. A 2021 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that in-home recovery care not only speeds up healing but also lowers the risk of infection. Additionally, the AMA found that patients receiving post-hospital care at home are 44% less likely to be readmitted to the hospital.
Simply put, in-home post-hospital care is often the best choice following a surgery or illness, and professional transitional care services can help your family make sure your loved ones needs are met.
How to Prepare for After Hospital Care at Home
Before beginning after hospital care at home, you should make a few simple preparations for yourself or your loved one.
Follow these steps to build the proper infrastructure for in-home recovery care:
Consult with the patient’s doctor about their recovery plan.
Make plans for the patient’s transportation from the hospital to home.
Clean and organize the home.
Purchase and set up any necessary equipment, like shower railings.
Consider the patient’s nutrition needs and dietary restrictions and plan meals accordingly.
Prepare a schedule for any prescribed medications.
Address any limitations to mobility or daily living activities.
Consider hiring an in-home post-hospital care agency,, like the friendly, knowledgeable team at Comfort Keepers.
Enjoy a Smooth, Safe Recovery with Comfort Keepers Grand Junction
Comfort Keepers Grand Junction is a post-hospital home care provider in Colorado’s Western Slope. Our transitional care services are designed to provide patients with the support they need to get back on their feet as soon as possible.
Our agency provides in-home senior care services to seniors and other adults in Grand Junction, Redlands, Clifton, Fruita, Palisade, Whitewater, Gateway, Orchard Mesa, Appleton, Loma, Glade Park, Fruitville, Glenwood Springs, Battlement Mesa, Parachute, and Rifle, Colorado.
When you choose Comfort Keepers Grand Junction, you and your loved ones can benefit from:
Experienced, compassionate caregivers
Personalized recovery plans
Enhanced home safety
Help with transportation, light housekeeping, and errands
Medication reminders
Assistance with daily living activities, like bathing, dressing, and mobility
Peace of mind knowing that your loved ones are taken care of by professionals
At Comfort Keepers, our clients are more than just clients; they are family. We care for the seniors in Mesa, Delta, Montrose, Ouray, and Garfield counties like they are our own loved ones, incorporating time-tested best practices alongside cutting-edge techniques.
Contact Comfort Keepers Grand Junction today to learn how our post-hospital home care services in Mesa, Delta, Montrose, Ouray, and Garfield counties can support a safe, smooth recovery.
