Research shows that approximately 900,000 older people are admitted to hospitals annually in England, UK. 

If your family’s elder member is admitted to the hospital, it can be intimidating for the patient and caregiver. Older people are specifically vulnerable to hospital representation following discharge, making their transition from healthcare facility to the home challenging. 

You might find that elderly patient care, recovery, and adjustment at home require careful planning and coordination. Improved hospital discharge planning and coordination allow you to easily meet the elderly’s post-hospitalisation needs, ranging from medication reminders to emotional support. 

Read further to explore the basics of planning and coordinating elderly patient care after discharge from the hospital.

What Happens When an Elderly Patient is Discharged from the Hospital?

Almost every aged patient needs care, support, and assistance with several aspects of daily living after leaving the hospital. 

Many hospitals in the UK require caregivers to have an elderly patient care plan for someone who most likely needs support or additional help. Therefore, old-age patients can only be discharged from the healthcare facility if they have a discharge plan.

What is a hospital discharge plan? It’s a process that determines the kind of care and support a patient needs post-hospital discharge. Discharge plans are devised to ensure the patient’s smooth and safe transition from the hospital to the home. 

The first step for an ongoing elderly patient discharge plan involves an assessment where you and the doctor will work together to curate a care plan.

This plan might include the following things:

• The contact information and other details of the individual who will manage care requirements.
• What treatment or care will an elderly patient need when they return home?
• Details of the follow-up appointments the elderly patient will need for quick recovery. 

Checklist for Your Elderly Loved One’s Hospital Discharge

For a smooth transition of an old aged patient from the hospital to the home, you must follow these practical considerations:

• See to it your elderly loved one has comfortable clothes to travel from hospital to home.
• That comfortable and safe transport is organised to take them home.
• You have understood about the medications required and that there is a supply to take home.
• You have hired a professional caregiver who can provide needed home healthcare services, such as help with bathing, cooking, or other domestic tasks.
• That your family member is comfortable using new equipment provided by the hospital, like mobility aids.
• Your elderly loved one’s doctor should be informed about the hospital discharge.

Providing After-Hospital Care and Support for an Elderly Patient 

Planning and coordinating elderly patient care after a hospital stay requires understanding their medical needs. Here are a few things you can do to provide the best care and support to your elderly family member post-hospitalisation:

• Understand discharge instructions: Ask your elderly loved one’s doctor for the discharge summary. It should mention the details of their health condition, treatment, medications, and care instructions. In addition, clarify your doubts with the nurse or doctor before leaving the hospital.
• Schedule the new check-up: Before you leave the hospital, schedule the follow-up appointments with your family member’s primary care physician. It will help monitor older adults’ recovery progress and address any medical issues promptly post-discharge.
• Manage medications: After reaching home, keep track of the patient’s medications and ensure they take medicine on time. 
• Monitor symptoms: You should be aware of potential complications your loved one can have after hospital discharge. Look out for symptoms like swelling in the limbs, increased fatigue, body pain, or difficulty breathing, as they might indicate serious health issues that can require immediate medical attention. 
• Manage wound care: If your loved one needs wound care, apply the techniques recommended by the medical practitioner. Make sure you properly dress and clean surgical sites or injuries. In addition, monitor wounds for any sign of infection, like swelling, redness, or unusual discharge.
• Adjust home layout: Create a safe home environment to prevent accidental falls or trips. For instance, eliminate tripping hazards like cords, clutter, cracked flooring, etc. Moreover, you can install handrails on stairs and place anti-slip mats around the bathroom, sink, or garden.
• Assist with daily activities: You can help your elderly loved one bathe, groom, and get dressed. Alternatively, you can hire a professional caregiver who is an expert in rendering home healthcare services. 
• Promote social activities: Take your elderly loved one for outdoor, recreational activities, like picnics, book clubs, senior centres, or local social events, to prevent them from feeling isolated.
• Encourage a balanced diet for the patient: Ensure your elderly patient eats a balanced diet. Eating fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins can help foster a strong immune system, boost energy levels, and maintain overall health.
• Slowly reintroduce routines: Help your elderly loved one re-establish their regular routine post-hospitalisation. It will help them live normally without being dependent on anyone. You can start with simple activities, like morning and bedtime rituals. Gradually consider including more elements like exercises to aid them in gaining strength.

Concluding Words

After a hospital stay, elderly patients often become a little frailer than before, making elderly patient care at home a concerning matter. However, with proper planning and coordination with your loved one’s healthcare team, you can provide necessary care and support to them post-hospitalisation. 

Moreover, you can hire a professional caretaker trained in providing personalised in-home support and care to patients.