Can Hospital Re-admissions Put Your Senior at Greater Risk for Hospital-Induced Delirium?
Hospital readmissions are a risk to seniors many family caregivers don’t think about.
It can, however, put their senior at serious risk. Hospital readmission is described as returning to the hospital within 30 days of discharge due to an illness, injury, or medical procedure. Sometimes this type of readmission is necessary, but in many others, it is not, and can lead to challenges and health problems.
Caregiver in Bryn Mawr PA: Hospital Re-admissions
Going back to the hospital can cause many hazards for your elderly parent, and one such risk is the possibility of developing hospital-induced delirium.
Hospital-induced delirium is an altered state of mental functioning, behavior, or awareness, and it can be very dangerous for an older adult. Seniors have a high risk of developing this condition, putting them at risk of more serious health issues as well as death, with experts estimates of half of all those seniors who are hospitalized will develop delirium.
The risk for developing this condition increases for those who have undergone surgery or who are in the intensive care unit but also increases simply the more times a person is in the hospital. Heading back to the hospital after discharge can be dangerous for many reasons, but this is one of the most pressing. Because the development of delirium is not reliant on any one particular condition or factor, even a senior who does not need to be in the hospital does have the potential of developing the condition if they have other risk factors, such as pain, infection, or dementia.
Some ways you can reduce the risk your parent will head back to the hospital after discharge include:
- Make sure they understand their condition and their expected symptoms and challenges before they leave.
- Ensure they understand their medications, doses, and side effects. Many elderly adults will get nervous when they begin to experience side effects and will return to the hospital thinking there is something wrong when the effects are actually completely normal.
- Put measures into place to ensure they have access to the level of care and support they need throughout their recovery. They might struggle to do basic tasks in their home, as well as personal care tasks, and having help with these from you or a home care provider can be instrumental in helping them through their recovery and preventing complications.
- Stay in touch with your loved one as they are going through the recovery. Make sure they are following the guidelines from their doctor, that they are doing well emotionally, and that you address any health challenges or side effects quickly and effectively
Home care can be extremely valuable after your elderly loved one leaves the hospital.
Not only can an in-home senior care services provider help your aging parent with the steps of their healing and recovery process, but they can also be instrumental in reducing the risk of hospital readmission.
Often elderly adults struggle with feelings of isolation and not having enough attention, which can lead to them wanting to go back to the hospital. The personalized care services, dedicated companionship, and attention of this care provider can reduce this feeling and encourage your senior to recover at home and stay healthier.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a Caregiver in Bryn Mawr, PA, please contact the friendly staff at Suma Home Care.
Call today: (484) 206-4544
Ibrahim recently completed a Professional Certificate in Management; He is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administrations (MBA) at a prestigious university in the UK.
With their passion for helping others and a strong background in customer services and clinical care, Ibrahim and his wife started assisting individuals in their homes.
Since started and operating Suma Home Care in 2010 in the basement of their home, Suma Home Care has provided professionals who work endlessly in providing clients with the highest quality of care, while enabling clients to maintain dignity, comfort and safety in their homes.
Suma Home Care, serves four counties in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia. Ibrahim is firmly connected to his local community and is always looking for ways to give back whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Ibrahim enjoys spending time with his wife and children, travelling and enjoys sports.
Mariama Suma-Keita BSN RN
Born in Sierra Leone west Africa, relocated to America in 1999 from a civil war and settled since in the U.S.A as a Naturalized citizen Graduated from National school of nursing with an associate , and completed BSN in Nursing from Immaculata University graduated with Honor roll Alpha Lambda sigma, After escaping the war served as a refugee nurse in Gambia and Guinea to other displaced refugees before coming to America.
In the states started in Homecare then then transition into hospital, worked in Jefferson hospital as a Registered nurse on Tele and general medsurg floor, also worked in Einstein hospital as an oncology transplant nurse , I realized that I enjoy working with patients so much and believe in quality and compassionate care one at a time dealing with an holistic approach in caring for patients and family in a familiar environment called home , I see the impact and progress when they’re home , it makes them feel relax and progress fast with recovering at home. As a nurse and entrepreneur I understand that dedication to meeting people and families needs is a priority, and able to foster relationships with family and patients that is professional and friendly to help them stay and settled home as a desire.
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