Recovering In The Comfort Of Your Own Home

Making The Transition: Tips For Moving From Hospital To Home Health Care

As medical technology continues to evolve, more and more people are choosing home health care as a way to recover from an injury or illness. In many cases, home health care can be just as effective as receiving care in a hospital or clinic, while providing patients with the added comfort and convenience of being able to recover in their own homes. However, making the transition from a hospital setting to home health care can be daunting, especially if you're new to the process. Here are some helpful tips and tricks you can follow to make this transition a bit easier.

Communicate With Your Health Care Team

It's important to maintain good communication with your care team during the transition process. Make sure that everyone is on the same page and that all of your care needs are being met. Be sure to ask any questions you may have and speak up if you have any concerns. Understand the exact date that your home health care will kick in, which services it involves, and who your point of reference is if you do need to get into contact with someone. If you have all that information, it will make everything so much simpler.

Make Your Home Ready

Before you leave your hospital, it's vital to make sure that your home is ready for your return. This may involve making modifications to your home to accommodate any potential physical limitations you may have. For example, you may need to install grab bars in the bathroom or a ramp to enter your home. Talk to your home health care provider about any modifications you may need to make. The last thing you want is to come home to find an unsuitable space to live in with your condition, and that happens more often than you would think considering how preventable it is.

Understand What Is Involved In Your Care Plan

Your home health care provider will create a care plan specifically tailored to your needs. Make sure you understand your care plan and know what to expect from your home health care provider. Your care plan may include things like physical therapy, medication management, wound care, and more, but it is vital that you know what it encompasses so you can get additional help or book other appointments if need be. For example, if you need medication top-ups or some other service that you got at the hospital that you cannot get from home health care, then you need to arrange for that as early as possible. 

For more information about home health care, contact a local company.