How Do You Plan a Smooth Hospital Discharge for Seniors?

How Do You Plan a Smooth Hospital Discharge for Seniors?

When an older family member is hospitalized, it’s a relief to learn they will be released soon. Once you’re aware of this, the next step is to create a smooth and well-coordinated discharge plan to help them transition back home and continue a safe and well-supported recovery.

Why Is Proper Discharge Planning Important?

A disorganized transition from a medical facility can lead to higher chances of readmission and medication issues. Proper and early discharge planning benefits older adults by:

• Reducing hospital stays
• Lowering readmission risk
• Decreasing mortality risk

Creating a discharge plan eases worries and addresses important questions you must ask the doctor. It helps maintain consistent care coordination and lowers the chances of health-related issues such as improper medication management. Learn how to create a successful discharge plan and prioritize key elements to provide your older family member with the right care.

Steps in Creating a Smooth Discharge Plan for Older Adults

Discharge planning prepares the older adult to move from one type of care to another, such as from a hospital to a home. It consists of specific instructions based on their health condition. In the United States, hospitals must have discharge planning in place for accreditation.

Here are the steps and important elements of an effective discharge plan:

1. Work With a Discharge Planner

Before your family member is released, coordinate care with a discharge planner. You can contact a designated discharge planner, nurse, social worker or health care representative to help you make transition arrangements from the hospital.

A discharge planner evaluates your family member’s condition to create an appropriate in-home care plan. Once they develop a care plan, they asses it with you, the discharged individual and any relevant family members. Reviewing the care plan together will help ensure it is properly implemented once your family member is home. You can also ask your discharge planner for advice on home care options.

2. Write Down Essential Medical Information

How do you organize your plan? Start by asking important medical questions from the doctor. This includes in-depth information about the older adult’s health, new medications and appointment schedules. Once you get the answers, write them down so the details are easier to remember.

Understanding your family member’s condition is crucial to assessing what level of care they might need. Here are specific things to ask their health care provider:

• What’s my family member’s current medical status? Ask about their condition, what treatment they received in the hospital and how their health will impact their life. It’s wise to ask what symptoms to watch out for that might need a doctor’s supervision.
• Are there new medications and diet specifications? Ask for clear instructions on how and when prescriptions should be taken. Older adults often struggle with proper medication use for different reasons, such as forgetfulness. Assisting with medication management will help lower their health risks. Besides medications, list diet restrictions to steer clear of unhealthy foods.
• What future appointments must they attend? Ask their health care provider about medical checkups and lab tests they should not miss. Note them on a calendar and make arrangements to help your family member attend them. It’s better if you or another trusted caregiver can accompany them to an appointment.
• What is the level of home care they need? Assess how much care they will need at home. Do they require post-surgery recovery care? Do they need home care assistance with daily activities, such as preparing meals and light housekeeping? Know what activities they cannot perform on their own.
• Does my family member have mobility challenges? After hospitalization, some older adults have mobility issues that make it challenging to get around the house. They might need physical therapy. You might also need to install handrails and brighter lighting to help them access areas and prevent falls.

3. Book Safe Transportation Services From the Hospital

Start looking for reliable transport services to get your family member home if you’re unable to pick them up. With so many things you must remember, it’s easy to overlook this important arrangement. Make sure to save the discharge date in your calendar.

The Elements of Effective Discharge Planning

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) made the IDEAL Discharge Planning Strategy for hospitals. This approach helps improve communication and engagement between health care providers and people receiving medical treatment. While it’s created for health care staff, you can also adopt this strategy when communicating with your family member and their assigned caregiver.

The IDEAL acronym stands for:

• Include: Involving your family member, assigned caregiver and other relatives in planning will help create a smooth home transition. It also means identifying who will provide in-home care for your parent.
• Discuss: Communicate crucial information to everyone involved. Schedule time to explain your family member’s condition and test results. This includes what the home situation will be like, the level of care needed, appointments, medications and food restrictions. Emphasize signs and symptoms requiring immediate attention and establish whom to call for help.
• Educate: Create learning opportunities for your family member and caregiver. You can start by reviewing medications together and how they should be taken. While at the hospital, encourage everyone to be involved in care practices so they feel confident about providing care at home. It’s also an opportunity to tell relevant friends and family about the discharge schedule and next steps.
• Assess: Part of effective communication is knowing how well everyone understood the shared information. Ask them to repeat essential information in their own words. If something is unclear to everyone, ask your health care provider to explain it again.
• Listen: Be open to questions and concerns. Listen to everyone and clarify important questions to the health care provider before leaving the hospital.

Post-Discharge Support and Home Care Services

Start looking for in-home caregivers before your family member leaves the hospital. Different types of home care can address the unique needs of older adults. Relying on professional home care assistance will give you the proper support to navigate the changes once your relative arrives home.

Consider the following home care services:

• Personal care: These caregivers assist with daily activities like preparing meals, bathing, dressing and light home cleaning. They also offer medication and appointment reminders.
• Companion care: These caregivers offer emotional support and companionship on top of assisting with daily activities. They also remind older adults about medications and appointments.
• Skilled nursing: Skilled nursing is appropriate for older adults who need in-home medical care, such as those who have had surgery, have chronic conditions or require medication management.
• Therapy services: Older adults with conditions that impact their functional capacity might need physical, occupational or speech therapy.

Trust Corewood Care for Your Home Care Needs

Get the reliable support you need when an older family member is discharged from a hospital. Contact Corewood Care to arrange transportation for a safe and well-coordinated transition from a hospital to a home, rehab facility or nursing home. We offer personalized services and flexible arrangements to help make the experience as comfortable as possible.

Empower your family member to live and age gracefully with help from Corewood Care. We aim to improve how health is managed with tailored, quality services. Trust us for professional care management and home care throughout the D.C. Metropolitan area, including Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia. You may also contact us for hospital-to-home transitional care to prioritize your family member’s safety and quality of life.