Caregiver by Design

Home from the hospital too soon? Why this is happening and what to do.


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Patients have been coming home from the hospital sicker, weaker, and with more complications than you might be prepared to manage at home for a few reasons and the burden on you might be bigger than you expected.  This is a global situation.  

What's going on out there?     

  • Covid 19 has overburdened the global healthcare system by adding people requiring treatment to the normal flux of patients 
  • Covid 19 has stressed the labor pool of healthcare workers who have to take time off due to exposure, and in some regions of the world, can not work unless they are vaccinated. 
  • The lack of available beds in short-term rehab settings and long-term care/nursing homes makes discharging patients from the hospital to such a facility very prolonged.  So, if it is possible to send them home with the support of the caregiver vs staying additional weeks, waiting on placement to STR or LTC, a possibility, then it becomes the plan
  • limited options for some patients (lack of any support at the home and no funds for most facilities) means that there are some patients that end up "boarding" in the hospital until a spot opens up at a facility. This can take weeks to months. 

What to pay attention to and what to ask about with the consideration of a "home too soon" situation : 

  1. What are the caregiver's limitations (pain, mobility) and ability?   What is the caregiver's availability and willingness to help with everyday activities?
  2.  medications: knowing what the new ones are.  What was added or discontinued?  Side effects of medications and interactions.  What to look for if the medication is not working correctly? 
  3.  community support for you and your partner/LO for the ongoing medical situation that they are dealing with.    Community support for future planning and for financial support.  
  4. Positioning and mobility:  safety.  How to assist them in a restorative way. 
  5. Signs and symptoms of worsening health, flare-ups, reoccurrences.  How to avoid these and what to look for.  

You are a vital part of the healthcare system as a caregiver and you should be informed and supported.  That is what I am here for.   I have 2 offers to further help you. 
First:   a free video training  "Start living your life without REGRETS!".  start living a life with vision and a plan every day while you help your LO become stronger and more independent  https://www.caregiverbydesign.com

Join a limited group coaching opportunity to help make BIG impact with small changes that put your needs and vision in center focus.  This is geared especially for partners, spouses who are caregivers and want to develop a strong relationship through the present challenge. 
https://www.caregiverbydesign.com/coaching





Support the show

If you need more help/support on your caregiving journey, you can find it over at https://www.caregiverbydesign.com/coaching
Free training now : watch a short free video I created on coaching vs caregiving https://www.caregiverbydesign.com/freetraining

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Caregiver by DesignBy Angie

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