Nearly everyone who goes into the hospital wants to leave immediately, but returning home isn’t free of challenges. While leaving the hospital is often a sign of progress, transitioning to home life and becoming responsible for self-healthcare can be particularly tough for seniors, amplified by existing health conditions. At-home care is never simple, even with family and friends visiting the house to assist. Today, we’ll explore three of the most common issues seniors encounter after a hospital stay and give some practical advice for when to seriously consider assisted living.
- Managing Complex Medication Regimens: One of the biggest challenges seniors face post-hospitalization is managing their medications, whether they address old conditions or are a result of the most recent hospitalization. After a hospital stay, many seniors are overwhelmed and cannot effectively track the doses, timing, and potential interactions with existing medications. This issue is even worse if cognitive impairments or memory problems are in the mix.At a hospital, nurses pay close attention to ensure seniors aren’t missing any needed medications, and if this suddenly stops due to at-home mistakes, the human body doesn’t always react well. It’s perilous for seniors to quit medications cold turkey, but this is an unfortunately common risk if they return home from a hospital stay and lack proper care and support.
- Increased Risk of Falls and Injuries: Whether due to surgery, illness, or general physical decline, physical vulnerability can make returning home from the hospital feel unsafe. A fatigued and tired body increases the likelihood of falls, one of the leading causes of injury among seniors. The typical Florida home is not equipped to accommodate a senior’s new physical needs. Cluttered spaces, loose rugs, or the lack of proper safety equipment, such as bathroom grab bars, are all small pieces of the puzzle that culminate in an unsafe environment. Additionally, many assistive devices that seniors rely on, like walkers or canes, may not function well in narrow corridors and hallways.A severe fall, especially if no one is around to help, can mean another trip to the emergency room or the need for additional surgeries, massively prolonging recovery time. It’s unfortunate, but the time seniors should be recovering from their recent hospital stay is one of the most hazardous periods.
- Feelings of Isolation and Emotional Stress: If seniors live alone or don’t have regular visits from family or caregivers, the emotional shock of returning to an empty home after a hospital stay can be jarring. While the hospital provides around-the-clock monitoring and interaction, home life differs.
Social isolation leads seniors to suffer from feelings of loneliness, anxiety, or depression, which in turn can impact their recovery. Mental health and emotional well-being are deeply connected to physical health, and seniors who feel unsupported or alone are less likely to follow through with treatment plans or remain optimistic about their recovery.Many seniors and their families understand that being discharged from the hospital isn’t the end of the journey, but that doesn’t mean they are fully equipped to take on the challenge. Family members can sometimes commit to caregiving duties for a few days or weeks, but at some point, they have to return to their lives and daily routines. If seniors don’t have other caregivers available to help them through recovery, they may be in for a rude awakening.
Assisted living and memory care facilities offer a solution to many of these challenges. Staff at assisted living facilities are intimately familiar with the struggles seniors face during recovery, and their entire day is focused on caring for residents who need help. At A Banyan Residence, we understand that not all seniors want round-the-clock care, so residents can adjust their care requirements as needed, returning to greater levels of independence after a full recovery.
If you or a family member are struggling to recover at home after a hospital stay or understand the risks that seniors face when they lack proper care, A Banyan Residence can help. Call today to schedule a tour of our facility.
