Imagine this: Your elderly 85-year-old mother, who lives on her own, experienced a nasty fall, broke a few bones, and today is the day the hospital is releasing her. When quickly scanning through her release paperwork before you leave the hospital, you begin to feel overwhelmed by the to-do lists of picking up medications, scheduling and taking her to physical therapy, scheduling and taking her to a medical follow-up in a few weeks, and a long list of symptoms to be aware of that could mean another return to the hospital.
As the owner of your own company and with a busy family of five to care for, can you prevent her from forgetting to take a medication, following the care plan and avoiding another fall? Family members are taking on the role of providing home care for their elderly parents, aunts or uncles in increasing numbers – as many as 44 million and more, according to the AARP. And following a hospitalization, the level of care provided often needs to be stepped up in order to ensure safety and prevent rehospitalizations. The following tips from Home Sweet Home In-Home Care in St. Joseph, MI can help family caregivers keep their loved ones safe and assist in the recovery process at home:
- Find more information. Be sure to ask your family member’s medical team whatever amount of questions necessary to help you better understand how to provide excellent care, including who to call for help and warning signs to watch for that could indicate a potential problem.
- Don’t neglect your own care. It can be stressful and emotional providing care for a loved one while managing all of your other duties as well! Be sure to get plenty of rest, take time for relaxing and enjoyable activities, and eat a balanced diet.
- Connect. Adult children often feel the need to do everything on their own, but it’s in everyone’s best interest to have a list of helpful resources available: friends, extended family, neighbors, and a caregiver support group.
Home Sweet Home In-Home Care in St. Joseph, MI can help. We can keep seniors safe and make sure they’re recovering safely and comfortably following hospitalizations. We’re just a phone call away at (269) 849-9252 and can be an essential part of your St. Joseph caregiving team to supplement family help. Located outside of St. Joseph, MI and looking for home care? Check out our complete service area here.