If your senior parent has been in the hospital because of an illness or a fall you should make sure that you have everything they will need in place when they are released from the hospital. When your senior parent arrives home they still may need assistance for weeks or even months while they recover fully.
One of the first things that you should do when you know that your senior parent is being released from the hospital is set up home health care. Home health care is a way for seniors to get routine medical care at home. A licensed medical professional can check your senior parent’s blood pressure, oxygen, and other vital signs at home to make sure their recovery is going well.
A home health care worker can also check your senior parent’s incision for signs of infection and clean any incisions or wounds that are healing if your senior parent has surgery. Home health care is an important part of recovery for seniors living at home. In addition to arranging for home health care you should also do these things when your senior parent is released from the hospital.
Stock The House With Essentials
While your senior parent is recovering they won’t be able to shop or run errands. You can arrange for home care to run errands and shop for them. Or, you can stock the house with food and water yourself to make sure that your senior parent has plenty of healthy food and beverages. Get some of their favorite pre-cooked meals and lots of healthy snacks in case they don’t have much appetite at first.
Arrange For Any Medical Equipment They Need
If your senior parent is going to need a bed on the first floor while they recover arrange to get a hospital bed delivered and set up in the home. Make sure there are lots of fresh clean sheets and cozy blankets as well as supportive pillows. Your senior parent may also need a walker or a cane to help them get around the house safely. And if they need oxygen, a sleep apnea machine, or any other type of medical equipment or aids make sure those are in place before your senior parent comes home.
Create A Visitation Schedule For Family And Friends
Your senior parent is going to be very tired and will need a lot of rest during their recovery. It’s a good idea to create a visitation schedule for family and friends so that your senior parent doesn’t get overwhelmed or exhausted by too much company. Send the schedule by email or text to all family and friends so they know when it’s ok to visit.
Make Follow Up Medical Appointments
Your senior parent will probably need follow up medical care. Home health care can do a lot of follow up care at home, but your senior parent will still need to see their doctor. Appointments book quickly so take the time to arrange follow up medical visits as soon as your senior parent is released from the hospital.