After a lengthy hospital stay, your loved one is likely looking forward to coming home. However, you know that they still have a long road to a full recovery, and you may be worried about them experiencing an injury or infection that leads to re-hospitalization. Although it is normal to be nervous, you can calm your fears by creating a plan now that will give them the best possible recovery.
Create a Caregiving Plan
It is often tempting for new caregivers to try to handle everything themselves. Yet, this often adds up to issues such as scheduling conflicts and caregiver burnout. Avoid this common problem by arranging for senior in home care services that can help with all of those tricky areas of care such as personal hygiene. With this plan in place, you and the rest of the family can step in and help when you can while knowing that your loved one always has someone there to keep watch.
Set Up a Recovery Room
During those first few weeks at home, your loved one's movements may be limited. Help them avoid falling in an effort to get their things by setting up a space for them to recover in comfort. Ideally, this space should be located near a restroom and sink. Your loved one may also need a phone or computer nearby to give them a way to call you when they need a pick-me-up. After your loved one moves in, work with the other caregivers to add additional things that they need such as a tray for keeping their medication organized.
Keep Communication Open
When multiple caregivers are helping your loved one, it is important to be on the same page. Senior at-home care services can help you make sure your loved one takes their medication on time and keep an eye out for signs that something is wrong such as a developing infection. Give all of the other caregivers a way to communicate with each other and your family such as a care journal that is kept in a convenient location of your loved one's home.
Be setting up a safe environment and arrange for senior care services, you can be certain that your loved one has everything they need for a healthy recovery. As you welcome your loved one home, enjoy knowing that they will feel supported in a caring environment that has everything they need to get better.
