Considerations When Bringing Your Loved One Home From The Hospital
Aug 26, 2021
A hospital stay can be stressful for loved ones and caregivers, and the stress can increase when its time for the patient to be discharged. Often, the patient will need accommodations to support ongoing healing and recuperation, either at an inpatient rehabilitation facility, outpatient center or at home. This need can sometimes be an afterthought, leaving caregivers feeling overwhelmed. By thinking through the options for care in advance, loved ones and caregivers can reduce stress and be sure the patient has a safe environment conducive to healing after discharge.
Start Planning Early
If your loved one is in the hospital due to illness or injury, its likely the care team will want to schedule a time to discuss discharge expectations and aftercare. If you are serving as a caregiver for your loved one, its important to gather all the important details that will help you make an informed decision for their long-term well-being. Be prepared to discuss the expected date of discharge, what skills will be required for provided ongoing care that meets your loved ones needs and what the options are for facility, outpatient or at-home care. Depending on the level of care your loved one needs and their insurance coverage, you might opt for one option over another.
Consider Your Care Availability Realistically
It is common for caregivers to feel a sense of responsibility and guilt around being able to meet their loved ones needs. These feelings are normal yet can weigh down the caregiver and cause stress for everyone involved. If you are a caregiver for a loved one who needs increased support, ask yourself a few important questions to evaluate the level of support you may need.
How much time do you have available to dedicate to helping out?
Does your loved one need around the clock care? Will intermittent care meet their needs?
Are you retired or able to take time off work to meet your loved ones needs?
In the event of an illness or other emergency, do you have a back-up caregiver who can step in?
Are you able to meet all of the physical needs of your loved one (i.e., physically moving them, lifting them, etc.)?
Are you able to complete ancillary tasks such as taking your loved one to doctor appointments, ordering and picking up medication and taking care of things around the house?
Having an honest conversation with your loved ones care team can help determine the best option for supporting their long-term health.
Understand Your Options
Varying levels of care can be provided at home, in a residential care facility or both. Some of these care options include: Skilled home health offers a wide range of health care services delivered by specially trained health care professionals wherever the patient calls home. Private duty home care makes it possible to maintain the independence of living at home while receiving assistance with daily living activities such as personal grooming, meal preparation, housekeeping and companionship. Palliative care focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness or injury and can be administered at home or in a care facility, regardless of prognosis.
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The PAWsitive Power of Pet Therapy
Lifes most tender moments often involve the companionship of our beloved pets. How many of us giggle with delight when we get to pet a rabbit or a horse or hold a bird? From morning walks with our faithful dogs to the comforting purr of a cat in our lap, these interactions bring immeasurable joy. But why should these cherished experiences fade as we age or transition to senior living? At Grand Living, we recognize the importance of preserving these connections, valuing the unique individuals we serve, and their desire for pet experiences.Fostering Bonds Between Seniors and Their PetsRemember the exhilaration of a playful romp with your dog or the contentment of your cat nestled in your lap? These feelings are timeless and transcend age. At Grand Living, we celebrate the magic of pet companionship, whether residents bring their pets or wish to experience the joys of pet interaction.A Profound Impact on Physical and Mental Well-beingThe positive rewards of pet companionship extend far beyond the surface. Studies have revealed the benefits of having a furry friend by your side. Lowered blood pressure, improved mood, reduced depression, enhanced mobility, and increased physical fitness are just a few of the positive outcomes. Remarkably, these effects linger even after the interaction ends. A single daily interaction with a pet can have lasting benefits for hours and days.Grand Living at Tower Place residents enjoy pet therapy.One of the most profound advantages of pet companionship is the sense of purpose it brings. Caring for a pet offers a continuous source of affection and attention, infusing life with meaning. At Grand Living, we understand the significance of this bond in promoting emotional well-being. The simple act of nurturing a pet fosters immeasurable positivity in a persons life.Maintaining Pet Companionship in Memory CareMemory loss can pose challenges to pet care, but at Grand Living, were dedicated to overcoming obstacles. In our LUMINATIONS Memory Care program, we strive to enrich residents minds, bodies, and spirits. Recognizing the benefits of pet companionship, we make many adaptations to penetrate through memory loss to recreate the benefits of owning a pet.Innovative Pet Therapy ProgramsLLamas visit Grand Living at Indian Creek.Our Pet Therapy programs are both diverse and heartwarming. Within our communities, dedicated staff members bring therapy dogs to interact with residents. Beyond traditional cats and dogs, we introduce residents to llamas, therapy horses, and petting zoos featuring adorable baby lambs, goats, and rabbits. Additionally, other Grand Living residents and families bring their dogs to the LUMINATIONS neighborhood for daily visits.In a creative leap, weve introduced animatronic cats and dogs to our neighborhoods. These lifelike companions purr, yap, and play, captivating residents with the same joy as real pets. These interactions create a bridge to the past, allowing residents to relive the joy of caring for and playing with pets.A Life Enriched: Championing the Joys of Senior LivingAs we grow older, life can sometimes feel like a succession of losses. At Grand Living, we meet this challenge head-on, striving to fill the lives of our residents with warmth, happiness, and fulfillment. The power of pet companionship cannot be underestimated its a connection that transcends time and infuses our days with purpose and delight.Age is no barrier to the profound joys of pet companionship. At Grand Living, we celebrate the uniqueness of each individual and their desire for pet experiences. Through our innovative programs, we ensure that the benefits of pet companionship are accessible to all, even in the face of challenges like memory loss. The warmth, love, and purpose that pets bring to our lives are boundless, and were committed to keeping that spirit alive in every step of our residents journey.
What Is Life Enrichment?
For many people, the idea of a senior living community includes images of older adults sitting alone in their rooms or napping in a common area. These negative perceptions do not actually reflect the active lifestyle lived by most American seniors. According to a study by the University of Michigan, a growing number of older adults are embracing healthy living, staying physically active and remaining socially engaged. When a senior and their family begin to consider transitioning to a senior living community, lifestyle, engagement and health are always top considerations. Simply because an older adult may need more daily assistance or support with the activities of daily living, it doesnt mean they will want to stop practicing their hobbies or keeping up with life enrichment activities they love. Many senior living communities help accommodate these pursuits through their life enrichment programs.So, how important is life enrichment for seniors? And what are the benefits of life enrichment programs? What Does Life Enrichment Mean?What does life enrichment mean? Life enrichment programs for seniors include plans and activities that support a seniors social, physical, emotional and cognitive well-being. In addition to encouraging creativity and personal growth, life enrichment programs are designed to keep seniors active, healthy and engaged in their community.While senior enrichment programs may seem like perks, they play a much more important role in senior living communities than just fun and games! Activities that suit a seniors active lifestyle and programs that engage their minds add greatly to the quality of life for older adults. Here are a few ways life enrichment programs benefit seniors:Keeping seniors activeAn active lifestyle is a vital part of healthy aging. Remaining active into the golden years of life can help seniors to maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints, prolong independence and help to manage chronic medical conditions. Life enrichment programs that include physical activity can keep seniors moving. At Anthology of King of Prussia, seniors enjoy access to an indoor pool, as well as exercise, fitness and wellness programs.Creating social connectionsStrong personal relationships give people comfort and support at any age. Feeling connected to others can help seniors reduce stress and anxiety, while also lowering the risk of depression. For seniors who live alone or who have limited mobility, it can be challenging to stay socially active. Life enrichment programs in senior living communities often have a social focus, which helps seniors to make connections. 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Anthology Senior Living designed our Elements of Life Enrichment program around our core philosophy and using our six dimensions of wellness. Anthologys six dimensions of wellness include:Physical HealthSocial HealthEmotional HealthIntellectual HealthSpiritual HealthEnvironmental HealthThis unique life enrichment program truly nurtures the full mind, body and spirit. From participating in a group fitness class to joining other residents for a card game or an off-site adventure, the Elements program keeps residents energized and encourages them to make the most of each and every day. Examples of life enrichment activities that are part of the Elements program include:A calendar of daily social, cultural and recreational senior living activities for residents to choose from, such as art classes, happy hours, fitness classes, yoga, dance and walking clubsFitness, exercise and wellness programs designed to engage residentsThoughtfully designed common areas and landscaped outdoor spaces for social gatheringsThe Directors of the Elements Life Enrichment program at Anthology provide opportunities and activities to keep residents engaged, while also improving the balance and functional movement for a better life within the Anthology communities. Our diverse monthly calendars are full of senior living activities that reflect the spirit and aspirations of Anthology residents. At Anthology Senior Living, we also understand that effectively improving seniors everyday experiences means not just customizing their activities to meet their specific preferences and tastes, but also ensuring that their daily routine has some variety. About Anthology Senior LivingAll of Anthology Senior Livings assisted living communities provide warm, dynamic care in a supportive, engaging environment. The team at Anthology manages everything to allow our assisted living residents to enjoy each day to its fullest. At Anthology of Boynton Beach, and all our communities, we provide housekeeping services, linen services, laundry and groundskeeping so residents can focus on fun and enjoyment. Theres so much to do at Anthology Senior Living that you will wish you had moved in sooner! Every day, various organized activities are available to participate in. From art classes to happy hours to brain games and fitness classes, theres something to indulge every taste. At Anthology Senior Living, your time is always your own. Choose as many or as few activities as you desire. View our calendars and see the wide variety that we have to offer.Interested in finding an Anthology Senior Living community near you? Visit our community finder to learn about all our locations. Or contact us today to set up a tour!