Post Hospital Care Services in Greater Cumberland, MD
See how our team can help bridge the gap between the hospital and the home with our post hospital care in Cumberland, Oakland, Keyser, and nearby cities
Along with the joy of having an elderly loved one coming home from a long stay in the hospital, there is plenty of work to be done before they are released and come home.
Give us a call at (240) 242-5966 to learn more!
Getting Started
The first thing you need to realize is that providing post hospital care for a loved one is not something you can do by yourself. You will need the help of your family, your loved one, a skilled caregiver, and their doctor. Putting together a solid care plan is the best way to prevent them from being readmitted into the hospital.
Important numbers you should know:
- 25% of seniors who are discharged to nursing homes have a higher risk of readmission within 30 days.
- 75% of these readmissions can be prevented.
- The cost of readmission to the U.S. healthcare system is over $17 billion not including those coming from urgent-care facilities and emergency rooms.
- One in five seniors will be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days.
The Many Benefits
On the day your loved one is due to be released, their doctor and medical care team should provide you with information regarding the type of care that will be needed. In doing so, they make it easier for your loved one to make the transition from a hospital setting into a home care environment.
Most family caregivers take on the role of providing support for a loved one without realizing how much time, energy, and education will be needed. At Comfort Keepers, we can provide your loved one with a skilled caregiver who specializes in providing transitional care for seniors. Not only can they help with caring for your loved one, but they can teach you what it takes to be an effective family caregiver.
Our Caregivers Arrive Ready to Help
When a Comfort Keepers caregiver arrives at your home (or your loved one's), they come prepared to assist by providing numerous services, including:
- Personal care services including bathing, grooming, mobility assistance, incontinence support, etc.)
- Homemaking services (decluttering, light house cleaning, laundry, dishes, meal planning & cooking, etc.)
- Transportation to appointments and taking care of numerous errands.
- Continuous monitoring of health and maintaining communication between the family, doctors, rehabilitation specialist, etc.
- Companionship and emotional support throughout their recovery journey.
Doing What It Takes to Prevent Readmission
Doctors say that the highest risk of readmission is during the first 30 to 180 days post return to home. While this number is far less than in the 20th Century, the right post hospital care plan can help.
What can lead to readmission for your loved one?
- Medications – concerning the taking of new medication that causes adverse side effects and those who do not take their medication as instructed, resulting in adverse side effects.
- Lack of Education by Medical Team – covers those who did not receive the proper education by the patient's medical care team before they come home.
- Secondary Diagnoses – covering those patients who develop a medical condition or display severe symptoms not seen during their hospitalization.
- Severity and Type of Medical Condition – covering those who are in the late stages of a medical condition or suffering from a chronic condition such as heart disease or Alzheimer's.
- Limited Access to Appropriate Post Hospital Care – covering those with limited transportation to their appointments, picking up needed medications, and have the daily support they need.
Steps You Can Take to Ensure Your Loved One Stays Home
The first step in providing effective care at home is to secure a copy of your loved one's medical care records from their stay in the hospital. These records contain vital information regarding the treatments received during their stay and what services will be needed after they return home. You will need this information should the need arise where you have to contact their doctor.
Your Loved One Is Going to Need a Lot of Help
One very important step in providing post hospital care for your loved one is to create a home version of their "patient care chart." Our caregivers can help you with this important project. They can also help you to remain in communication with your loved one's medical care team.
Your patient care chart should include the following:
- A schedule that includes all family caregivers, when they will be there and what they need to do.
- A record of all medications, when they need to be taken and the correct dosage.
- Contact information including, caregivers and emergency contacts.
- A list of appointments, what was discussed and what, if anything was done.
Preparing Your Home (Or Theirs) for Their Arrival
Another important part of providing a safe environment for your loved one is making sure your home (or theirs) is ready before they arrive. Among the things you need to take care of are:
- Introduce your loved one to their provider before they are discharged.
- Be sure the house is clean and disinfected eliminating allergens and bacteria.
- Create a care plan schedule that lets your loved one know who will be with them and when.
- Be sure furniture is arranged to make room for any mobility equipment.
- Install any needed safety equipment.
- Place items that are used daily within easy reach.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
For more information on post hospital care or to arrange for a skilled caregiver, contact us, by completing our online form or call Comfort Keepers at, (240) 242-5966 and book an appointment for a free care consultation with one of our friendly and knowledgeable senior care advisors.
