Voices of Comfort: Effective Telephone Strategies for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers

Are you wondering what to do after your loved one gets discharged after a hospital stay? When your loved one is in the hospital, be it for a planned procedure or an unplanned emergency, it's easy to become overwhelmed with information. Not only are you trying to keep track of how they're feeling and how their recovery is going, but you're also in communication with their physician, surgeon, therapists, and nursing team. There's so much information rapidly coming at you in all directions, and just when you think you're getting a handle on it, a social worker comes in to talk to you about discharge planning.While everyone is eager to get your loved one home so they can recover in a place where they feel most comfortable, there's a lot to do before they can safely leave the hospital. Taking discharge planning one step at a time can help reduce stress. Here's what to consider as you begin preparing your loved one to leave the hospital.Meet with the hospital discharge plannerYour loved one's discharge from a hospital visit begins days before the planned date of the discharge. A discharge planner, typically a social worker or other trained professional, will meet with the designated family member to discuss the discharge plans. During the initial meeting, the planner will talk about potential discharge dates and learn more from you about: - What support systems, if any, your loved one has in place.- What you and your loved one are worried about regarding them leaving the hospital.- Resources and services in the community that you can contact to set up support.When you meet with the planner, take notes. You're likely to forget the small details if you don't write them down along with all the information you get during the meeting.Make sure you have the planner's contact information, including their email address, so you can send any follow-up questions or concerns after your meeting.Understand that you will probably meet with the planner daily until the day of the discharge.Review the care plan and medical instructionPart of the discharge planning process is understanding what your loved one is going to need when they leave the hospital. Your discharge planner will walk you through the recommendations from your loved one's medical team, including their surgeon, specialist, physician, and therapist. Depending on the reason for your loved one's stay in the hospital, you might find information about: - Upcoming follow-up visits and therapy visit recommendations.- Prescription schedule.- Wound care instructions.- Restorative exercises.- Dietary needs.- Signs of an emergency, or when to get in touch with a doctor ASAP.You'll receive a copy of these instructions, and they may be updated before the discharge. Take notes and ask questions if you need clarification.Choose the right care after a hospital stayChoosing how to get care after hospitalization can be a stressful part of the discharge process. In addition to simply leaving the hospital, the goal is to make sure your loved one continues their recovery in a setting that matches their medical needs, mobility, and level of support.For some seniors, returning home with the right services in place is a safe and appropriate option, but not all seniors who are discharged are cleared to go straight home. Instead, many are encouraged to continue their recovery in a skilled nursing facility in order to get a strong enough return home safely. Others are told that eventually going back home is not a safe option at all, and family members need to begin exploring other long-term senior living options, like assisted living.This decision often comes together quickly. Some may have only a few days to understand care recommendations, evaluate options, and choose a path forward, while trying to make the safest and most sustainable choice.Get help from a professional senior care advisorIn this scenario, it can be valuable to bring in a professional senior care advisor who can do most of the work for you, giving you a list of vetted senior living communities that meet your loved one's needs, preferences, and budget. These advisors provide their services at no cost to family members, and will meet with you either at the hospital or over the phone to learn more about the discharge recommendations, your loved one's challenges, and your plans for the short and long term. Then, they use their knowledge and relationships with senior living communities in your area to identify a few that meet all the necessary criteria.Senior care advisors can even accompany you on a tour of potential communities, or spend time with you afterward to discuss what you observed and address any questions you might still have. Most care advisors will check in regularly to ensure that you are making your most confident decision, even after your loved one has been discharged to the senior living community.Organize supportNow that you know when your loved one will be discharged, and the recommendations for their after-hospital care, it's time to start getting the pieces in place for a successful discharge. If possible, begin working on these steps immediately. You'll also want to delegate tasks to other family members, including those who live far away but can be helpful over the phone or through email.Depending on your loved one's needs, you might need to complete these tasks:- Setting up follow-up appointments and transportation.- Ordering medical supplies, including any durable medical equipment.- Getting prescriptions from the pharmacy.- Setting up services with Meals on Wheels or another meal delivery service, if your loved one is returning home.- Stocking the fridge and cabinets with easy-to-make meals and snack options.- Scheduling home care or home health care visitors as prescribed.- Contacting the senior living community (if your loved one isn't returning home) to determine what you need to bring when your loved one moves, including any medical history or medication records, clothing, comfort items, etc.Remember: If you're working with a senior care advisor, they can be a valuable resource in helping you get organized for the move to the senior living community. They can provide you with options for moving companies, home organizers, and more.Watch for warning signs of complicationsOnce your loved one has left the hospital, your focus shifts to avoiding readmission. You want your loved one to recover successfully and not develop any secondary infections, have a fall, or experience other complications that can bring them back to a hospital setting.Keep your eyes peeled for these potential red flags, and follow up with their physician immediately: - Confusion or acute disorientation. - Swelling in the lower extremities.- Redness or irritation at any suture sites.- Poor balance or near-falls.- Not taking medications as scheduled.- Experiencing unpleasant side effects from medications.- Poor appetite.- Skipping physical therapy, occupational therapy, or physician appointments.- A new cough or fever.- Unmanaged pain.Slow and Steady: Recovering after a hospital visitIt's important to remember that recovery from a hospital visit can take longer for older adults. The deconditioning that occurs when individuals are sedentary in the hospital, in addition to the side effects of medication or anesthetic, can slow down their recovery. Stay patient and supportive, taking note of the small victories. Observe and celebrate their progress. Slow and steady wins the race, especially when it comes to post-hospital recovery.If you are navigating a hospital discharge and feeling unsure about the next steps, Oasis Senior Advisors Carrollton-Frisco can help you make sense of your options. They work closely with families to understand care needs, budget, and timing, then guide you through comparing the communities, scheduling tours, and making a confident decision. Their support is totally free, and their local knowledge can make a fast-moving situation much more manageable. Contact your local advisor, Holly DeLisi, at (682) 375-9604 for assistance.

Are you wondering about the next steps after your loved one leaves home health care? For many older adults, home health care plays a crucial role in recovery after an illness, injury, or surgery. It can act as a bridge between a hospital or skilled nursing visit and caring for oneself. It's also a way for homebound people to get the support they need.However, home health care is usually a short-term service. It's meant to help stabilize health, rehabilitate, and teach new skills, but it doesn't last forever.Most funding sources (particularly Medicare) will stop covering home health care services when the patient recovers enough, or sometimes if their progress stalls. This end point may come too soon for some people, especially if they still have health needs or aren't fully independent.The end of home health care doesn't mean the end of support - there are still many options out there for getting the help you need. In this article, we'll highlight options for care depending on your situation when home health care comes to an end.Why home health care endsHome health care provides skilled care that you'd typically need to go to a doctor, hospital, or specialist for. Offered services include the following, depending on your needs:- Skilled nursing care (wound care, IV medication administration, etc.).- Physical therapy.- Speech therapy.- Occupational therapy. - Assistance with personal care (but only if your doctor deems it medically necessary, and only if you need skilled care, too).- Medical social services (only if you need skilled care, too).Home health care services are not simply there to make your life easier. Providers travel to the patients because they have a short-term need for medical care after an injury, illness, surgery, or similar situation, and are considered homebound (meaning that leaving the home is either very difficult or impossible).This process is designed around medical necessity. This means you're typically eligible for the services when you need them, particularly when visiting the doctor would be difficult.Your needs will likely change as you go through home health care, and eventually, the funding will end. What you can do next will depend on your needs at that time.Immediate next stepsHome health care won't end suddenly. Your goals and progress will be assessed before any decision is made, and health care providers will work with you to determine the next steps.This process will typically involve talking about:- Alternative sources of any care required.- Plans for medication management.- Follow-up appointments with specialists and your primary care physician.- How to ensure progress continues.- Local resources and services to support your recoveryThis is also your chance to ask questions. Doing so helps to ensure that you're fully informed about the next steps.If your health has dramatically improvedThis is the best possible outcome and the goal of home health care. However, you'll still need to keep an eye on your health. This includes: - Taking medications as prescribed.- Continuing with any exercises recommended by physical therapists.- Keeping up with personal hygiene.- Eating well.- Exercising at a level you are safe and comfortable with.- Staying socially connected.You may also want in-home support from a family member or home care aide. While home care services don't provide medical support, they can make self-care tasks much safer and easier, and also assist with household tasks.If you still need support with recoveryWhen home health care ends, if your health has improved, you might be visiting specialists instead of having them come to you.Support options here include the following:- In outpatient treatment, you can receive some services at your local hospital, but are not admitted and can return home the same day.- Your primary care provider will continue to provide support, recommendations, and health monitoring. You can make follow-up appointments with specialists to continue your work.- There may also be some programs in your local community, like chronic disease management groups and fall prevention classes. You may find support groups as well, which offer information and social support. If funding has ended but you still need home health careThe end of funding doesn't have to mean the end of home health care. Sometimes you'll simply need to look for other funding sources.Depending on your situation, you may be able to use the following to pay for home health care:- Medicaid.- Private insurance.- Long-term care insurance.- Veterans benefits.You can also dispute the decision to end your home health care. This can be important because home health care agencies don't always fully understand Medicare funding. They may even end care when you're actually still eligible.Your provider is required to give you a notice of Medicare non-coverage when funding has ended. This includes details about how to file an expedited appeal and can help you fight any changes.If your needs exceed what family or home care can provideSome people's care needs end up exceeding anything that home care and home health care can provide. Furthermore, family caregiving is often unrealistic when the individuals care needs are too high, as family members may not have the required skills and can quickly burn out from the workload.In such cases, alternative living arrangements like those listed below may be necessary. Assisted livingAssisted living helps with daily tasks in a supportive environment. While medical support is limited, assisted living ensures that there's always someone on hand to provide support, and that any health issues are quickly noticed. These communities also have a variety of programs and services that continue to support residents nonmedical needs.For example, when a patient receives home health care after hospitalization for a hip fracture, the housekeeping laundry, and meal services at assisted living can help the resident maintain quality of life and good nutrition if their recovery has left them with less mobility than before the fracture.Skilled nursingSkilled nursing facilities are another 24/7 care environment that offers medical support as well as many nonmedical services. This is a good option for people with significant health challenges, helping to improve safety and quality of life.People who require long-term care in skilled nursing often have one or more chronic conditions, physical limitations, or cognitive conditions that make living at home unsafe. Staffed with licensed nursing professionals, trained caregiving staff, attending physicians, and visiting specialists, these facilities provide the greatest access to skilled care outside a hospital setting.Memory careMemory care focuses on people with dementia and provides specialized support to improve their lives. This care may be provided in a stand-alone memory care facility or in another setting, such as a nursing home, assisted living, or even in the individuals home. To decide the next step, youll need to think about current needs and how these might change in the future. Primary care physicians are important here. Theyll often be able to inform you about possible future changes and what such changes mean for care needs. If youre considering different senior care options, Oasis Senior Advisors Carrollton-Frisco is there to help. Contact your local advisor, Holly DeLisi, at (682) 375-9604 for information and guidance.

Do you have questions about the available dining options in the senior living community you're considering? The dining options in senior living facilities can significantly improve your quality of life and overall satisfaction with your environment. It's important to have access to food that not only tastes good, but also meets your nutritional and dietary needs. As more seniors seek supported living communities, the food and dining options available in those communities have evolved.The options available also vary across communities. Some meal plans are included with your monthly payments, while others may have additional costs and let you customize what meals you get. Knowing the facts about your dining options and nutrition support can help you ask the right questions and make the most informed decisions about where you live.Residents can choose from multiple dining optionsSenior living dining options can vary depending both on the community and on the level of care you are receiving. Here's a breakdown and examples of what you might find in different facilities. Keep in mind, however, that the dining amenities offered by each facility will also be different, so it's always a good idea to take a tour, ask for sample menus, and even try a meal.Independent livingIndependent living communities will typically have one or more restaurant-style dining areas where you can order food from a menu. This menu may rotate seasonally and change for holidays. These types of communities may also offer grab-and-go or room service options.Most independent living communities have rooms with small kitchens, which gives you the option to prepare some of your own meals. Because of this, these communities are more likely to offer customizable meal plans, allowing you to choose whether to do your own cooking.Assisted livingAssisted living facilities typically have a centralized dining room, and usually offer a menu of entrees and sides. You may place your order with a server, like you would at a restaurant, or enter your choices on paper or electronically before mealtime. In-room dining is available in some facilities, but it might be reserved for residents who have an illness or injury, or are otherwise unable to eat in the dining room safely. Snacks are often available throughout the day when requested. Meal plans in assisted living can vary: Some may be all-inclusive, while others may offer customization options. Assisted living apartments might have a small kitchenette for reheating or warming food.Memory careMemory care facilities provide all meal services and snacks. Their meal plans are typically included in your monthly payments. Meals are usually served in a community dining area, and residents are assisted by caregivers. There's usually a rotating menu, but meals will typically be selected and modified for each resident based on their needs.Skilled nursingLong-term residents of nursing homes often have access to a dining room, or may eat in their rooms based on their needs and preferences. Caregivers will be available to assist those who require help with feeding or meal selection. Short-stay residents of rehabilitation facilities may typically eat in their rooms due to injury or illness.Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs)CCRCs typically offer multiple dining options, including restaurant-style dining, cafes, bistros, and grab-and-go options. Meal plans here are generally customizable to the level of care you are receiving.If you live in your own condo, cottage, or independent living area, you may choose not to have a meal plan, instead preparing them yourself. Due to the number of meal plans and dining options in a CCRC, you should tour all care levels in the community and ask about specific meal plans and dining areas.Nutrition support services help maintain resident healthNutrition plays a critical role in your overall health. Many factors, including chronic diseases, poor oral health, changes in vision, and alterations in taste in smell, can affect older adults' ability to maintain a balanced diet. Social changes, such as the loss of a spouse or social isolation, can also affect an older adult's nutrition. With poor nutrition can come the worsening of chronic conditions and an overall decline in health.Senior living facilities often offer nutrition services that extend beyond simply serving meals. Here are some of those additional benefits that you might find:- Scheduled meal times.- Opportunities to socialize during meals, which can reduce social isolation.- Menus overseen by a registered dietician or another health care professional.- Programs for weight management.- Communication with your medical team regarding specialty diets, weight loss or gain, or other nutrition-related concerns.Communities often cater to special dietary needsMost communities that cater to older adults will offer accommodations for special dietary needs. This can include personal choices such as vegetarian, vegan, or diet modifications for religious reasons. It is essential to ask about the accommodations that can be made and ensure your dietary needs will be met, as not ever facility offers the same meal modifications.Special diets for allergies and health reasons can often be met in these communities as well. It's a good idea to speak with the dietary team before moving in, and to provide them with any documentation from your medical provider outlining your specific dietary needs.Special diets commonly seen in senior living environments are:- Low or no salt diets: This is important for people with high blood pressure, but may also be recommended for people with heart disease, kidney disease, or diabetes, or for anyone simply looking to improve their health.- Heart-healthy diets: This type may be recommended for people with chronic heart disease or those with a higher risk of developing it.- Diabetic diets: For anyone with diabetes or pre-diabetes, it's important to follow a diabetic diet. Furthermore, set meal times are crucial to ensure that medications are taken and blood sugar is monitored.- Pureed or mechanical soft diets: Due to different conditions that affect your ability to swallow, you may need the texture of your food modified to eat or drink it safely. Common conditions can include Alzheimer's or dementia, stroke, and even short-term injuries or dental procedures.You can provide input to influence dining optionsResidents in senior living communities often have diverse preferences regarding the type of food they like, how it's prepared, and how it's served. Many communities have resident advisory committees, some of which set aside specific times to discuss food. A representative from the dining staff may be present to collect comments and ideas.Depending on the facility you're in, you also have resident rights that ensure staff must listen to any complaints, including those related to food and dining services. Federal and state regulations vary by level of care and by location. If you have thoughts or ideas about the food in your facility, make sure to get involved.If dining, nutrition, and daily quality of life are important factors in your decision, Oasis Senior Advisors Carrollton-Frisco can help you compare communities, ask the right questions during tours, and find options that align with your loved one's needs and preferences. Contact your local advisor, Holly DeLisi, at (682) 375-9604 to start exploring communities in your area.The rules and requirements of senior care facilities vary based on company policies and state regulations. The contents of this article represent common guidelines, but may differ from a particular facility's policies or requirements. Oasis can help you learn about the regulations in your state.