Many families feel overwhelmed when an aging loved one is unexpectedly admitted to the hospital. Their first concerns center on the person’s immediate well-being and stabilization in the event of a medical emergency. But as their relative or friend recovers, families are then confronted with a new worry: they must determine how to best care for their vulnerable loved one post hospitalization.
Fortunately, folks have many care options in the South Bay, Palos Verdes, and Beach Cities areas. The right Torrance home care agency, for example, can offer comprehensive solutions in most situations.
Here are 6 questions families should ask to practically address their relative’s care and safety needs.
1) What are his care needs?
Patients often have new care needs once they return home from the hospital or skilled nursing facility. Medications often change, as does mobility status and other physical and cognitive capabilities. “Dad” may now need help with toileting or taking showers. Or perhaps his cognitive decline after suffering a stroke prevents him from adhering to his medication regimen.
Families will usually get direction from the hospital or facility case manager, social worker, or discharge planner. But the right home care agency can also help assess and monitor changing care needs. In fact, BrightStar Care of Torrance goes above and beyond by providing free assessments and nurse case management from our Director of Nursing.
2) Is he cognitive and alert?
Families often focus on physical limitations, which present immediate care needs. After all, a person’s safety and quality of life are greatly comprised if he cannot walk around his home or carry out regular “activities of daily living” (ADLs). But cognitive limitations are often left unaddressed.
For example, patients who suffer strokes are highly likely to have compromised cognitive function afterward. There’s even a condition called, “vascular dementia.” And folks who lack necessary mental faculties are at increased risk for medical emergencies.
A loved one who’s not fully cognitive may accidentally leave the stove burner on after cooking dinner. Or perhaps he forgets to take his medication as prescribed, which may result in high blood pressure, additional strokes, or other medical emergencies. And even small things, such as forgetting to eat regularly, can compromise health.
3) Is he a fall risk, or are there other safety concerns?
Statistically speaking, falls represent the biggest threat to older folks and lead to countless hospitalizations every year. And if “Dad” has already had a fall that resulted in a medical emergency, he is at even greater risk of a repeat incident. The sad truth is falls often render previously-independent seniors disabled and can even be deadly.
The right South Bay home care agency mitigates fall risk by staffing qualified caregivers trained in fall prevention techniques. These aides assist seniors with ADLs while also serving in a “stand-by” capacity that allows clients to ask for support when needed. And BrightStar Care of Torrance even provides a free home safety evaluation to assess fall/tripping hazards from our Director of Nursing prior to starting care!
4) Can a spouse, family member, or trusted friend help?
Some families rely on the trusted support of a relative or close friend to address caregiving needs. But others aren’t so fortunate. And even those who have volunteer caregivers available may still face gaps in care. Perhaps their helper can assist during days but not overnight. Or maybe they work during the week.
Seniors and other vulnerable folks who return home from the hospital or skilled nursing facility will likely require transitional support from a caregiver, either familiar or professional. And some will need permanent assistance. Families should therefore honestly evaluate their situation to determine whether they can address care needs internally or if they need to leverage the help of a Torrance home care agency.
5) What are the financial implications?
Caregiver agencies charge hourly rates for services, and they are typically an out-of-pocket expense (neither covered by Medicare nor health insurance). With that said, it’s worth noting long-term care insurance (LTCi) does pay for in-home care, as do certain veterans’ benefits.
But as most people know, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” In other words, families that decide to provide care on their own may face financial impacts as well. An adult son or daughter who assumes a caregiver role may do so at the expense of missing work or not advancing their own career.
Some families will determine they can address care needs on their own with no significant opportunity costs. But others may realize the price of Torrance caregiver services is less than the consequences of missing work or other activities. And some people also find it’s helpful to have a separation between “caregiver” and “family” as a matter of preserving relationships.
6) Are there other care options, and what are the trade-offs?
Most seniors who need high levels of long-term care post hospital discharge will find they have two main options: professional home care services or assisted living. We’ve discussed the prior up to this point. But assisted living is the term used for folks who move into a senior living community.
Assisted living facilities usually provide meals and basic care services, such as medication reminders, and help with bathing. Families should know, however, that assisted living facilities do not provide “skilled” nursing (RNs, LVNs) or caregivers for those who need continuous help with ADLs.
While senior living communities are a viable alternative to home care for some families, many seniors find the environments limiting. These folks usually value their independence and privacy and prefer to remain in their own homes. Families may also feel constrained when visiting loved ones at assisted living facilities, especially amid COVID-19 and limited (or restricted) visitation guidelines.
Summary
At the end of the day, most seniors will ultimately need some level of care as they advance in age, and this reality is especially likely post hospital or nursing facility discharge. Families must honestly analyze their individual situation to determine if professional help is needed for their vulnerable loved one. The decision process should consider several factors, including extent of care needs, family caregiver options (or lack thereof), and living preferences (remaining at home vs. living in a senior community).
If you’re seeking information on Torrance home care services for your loved one, friend, or patient in the South Bay area, be sure to call BrightStar Care today for a free assessment from our Director of Nursing!
Fortunately, folks have many care options in the South Bay, Palos Verdes, and Beach Cities areas. The right Torrance home care agency, for example, can offer comprehensive solutions in most situations.
Here are 6 questions families should ask to practically address their relative’s care and safety needs.
1) What are his care needs?
Patients often have new care needs once they return home from the hospital or skilled nursing facility. Medications often change, as does mobility status and other physical and cognitive capabilities. “Dad” may now need help with toileting or taking showers. Or perhaps his cognitive decline after suffering a stroke prevents him from adhering to his medication regimen.
Families will usually get direction from the hospital or facility case manager, social worker, or discharge planner. But the right home care agency can also help assess and monitor changing care needs. In fact, BrightStar Care of Torrance goes above and beyond by providing free assessments and nurse case management from our Director of Nursing.
2) Is he cognitive and alert?
Families often focus on physical limitations, which present immediate care needs. After all, a person’s safety and quality of life are greatly comprised if he cannot walk around his home or carry out regular “activities of daily living” (ADLs). But cognitive limitations are often left unaddressed.
For example, patients who suffer strokes are highly likely to have compromised cognitive function afterward. There’s even a condition called, “vascular dementia.” And folks who lack necessary mental faculties are at increased risk for medical emergencies.
A loved one who’s not fully cognitive may accidentally leave the stove burner on after cooking dinner. Or perhaps he forgets to take his medication as prescribed, which may result in high blood pressure, additional strokes, or other medical emergencies. And even small things, such as forgetting to eat regularly, can compromise health.
3) Is he a fall risk, or are there other safety concerns?
Statistically speaking, falls represent the biggest threat to older folks and lead to countless hospitalizations every year. And if “Dad” has already had a fall that resulted in a medical emergency, he is at even greater risk of a repeat incident. The sad truth is falls often render previously-independent seniors disabled and can even be deadly.
The right South Bay home care agency mitigates fall risk by staffing qualified caregivers trained in fall prevention techniques. These aides assist seniors with ADLs while also serving in a “stand-by” capacity that allows clients to ask for support when needed. And BrightStar Care of Torrance even provides a free home safety evaluation to assess fall/tripping hazards from our Director of Nursing prior to starting care!
4) Can a spouse, family member, or trusted friend help?
Some families rely on the trusted support of a relative or close friend to address caregiving needs. But others aren’t so fortunate. And even those who have volunteer caregivers available may still face gaps in care. Perhaps their helper can assist during days but not overnight. Or maybe they work during the week.
Seniors and other vulnerable folks who return home from the hospital or skilled nursing facility will likely require transitional support from a caregiver, either familiar or professional. And some will need permanent assistance. Families should therefore honestly evaluate their situation to determine whether they can address care needs internally or if they need to leverage the help of a Torrance home care agency.
5) What are the financial implications?
Caregiver agencies charge hourly rates for services, and they are typically an out-of-pocket expense (neither covered by Medicare nor health insurance). With that said, it’s worth noting long-term care insurance (LTCi) does pay for in-home care, as do certain veterans’ benefits.
But as most people know, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” In other words, families that decide to provide care on their own may face financial impacts as well. An adult son or daughter who assumes a caregiver role may do so at the expense of missing work or not advancing their own career.
Some families will determine they can address care needs on their own with no significant opportunity costs. But others may realize the price of Torrance caregiver services is less than the consequences of missing work or other activities. And some people also find it’s helpful to have a separation between “caregiver” and “family” as a matter of preserving relationships.
6) Are there other care options, and what are the trade-offs?
Most seniors who need high levels of long-term care post hospital discharge will find they have two main options: professional home care services or assisted living. We’ve discussed the prior up to this point. But assisted living is the term used for folks who move into a senior living community.
Assisted living facilities usually provide meals and basic care services, such as medication reminders, and help with bathing. Families should know, however, that assisted living facilities do not provide “skilled” nursing (RNs, LVNs) or caregivers for those who need continuous help with ADLs.
While senior living communities are a viable alternative to home care for some families, many seniors find the environments limiting. These folks usually value their independence and privacy and prefer to remain in their own homes. Families may also feel constrained when visiting loved ones at assisted living facilities, especially amid COVID-19 and limited (or restricted) visitation guidelines.
Summary
At the end of the day, most seniors will ultimately need some level of care as they advance in age, and this reality is especially likely post hospital or nursing facility discharge. Families must honestly analyze their individual situation to determine if professional help is needed for their vulnerable loved one. The decision process should consider several factors, including extent of care needs, family caregiver options (or lack thereof), and living preferences (remaining at home vs. living in a senior community).
If you’re seeking information on Torrance home care services for your loved one, friend, or patient in the South Bay area, be sure to call BrightStar Care today for a free assessment from our Director of Nursing!