Surgery, illness, chronic conditions—there are many things that can lead to a stay in the hospital. These stays can be stressful, especially if a senior must be in the hospital for an extended period of time. During these prolonged hospital stays, it may be necessary to have assistance, or simply companionship, that family members may not always be able to provide.
What to Expect:
Having to stay in a hospital for an extended period of time can be scary for some seniors, so it always helps to know what to expect. Each senior’s stay will differ depending on what he or she is in the hospital for – surgery, illness, etc. – but here are a few things that are typical for a hospital stay:
- Daily visits from the physician to assess progress and alter prescriptions if necessary
- Regular, hourly visits – including during the night if necessary – from nursing staff to administer medication and assess the senior’s condition
- Meals will be brought to the senior and specially prepared to support any dietary restrictions he or she may have based on the specific condition or medications
- Depending on the hospital, a senior may or may not have to share a hospital room with another patient
Again, each person’s hospital stay will be different. It is best to talk to the doctor or a representative from the hospital to find out more about what can be expected during the stay.
Home Care in the Hospital:
While a senior’s medical care will be handled by his or her doctor and hospital staff during the hospital stay, seniors and families often need extra coverage at the hospital to ensure proper attention for the senior. At Aunt Ann’s Home Care, we provide a hospital sitting services to help our clients while they are confined to the hospital. Through our experience in caring for clients who have to stay in a hospital for an extended period, we have found that the following services are ones to consider a hospital sitter for:
- Alerting family members to changes in condition
- Providing assistance overnight with incontinence, toileting, repositioning in bed, etc.
- Providing companionship and conversation to pass the time
- Promoting and encouraging exercise and movement recommended by physicians and therapists
We can also provide an easy transition from hospital to home once the senior is released to help the senior heal and reduce the risk of re-hospitalization.
Talking to the Doctor:
Anticipating a hospital stay can be stressful, which is why it is very important to discuss any questions with the doctor. Some questions to ask about a hospital stay include:
- What preparations do I need to make before coming to the hospital? You may need to make special arrangements at home if you are going to be staying for a long period of time, so it’s important to know what things need to be taken care of beforehand.
- How long can I expect to stay in the hospital? This time will depend on the severity of your condition or surgery and how well you heal, but your doctor should be able to give you a ballpark time of what is expected.
- Will I need to stop or change any of my current medications before going into the hospital? If you are having surgery, you may need to discontinue certain medications before your hospital stay.
◦ Do I need to make any dietary adjustments prior to staying in the hospital?
- What can I expect once I arrive in the hospital? While we’ve listed a few things that most people can expect while staying in the hospital, your doctor will be able to provide more detailed information based on your specific condition or procedure.
Services to Consider:
Staying in the hospital can be difficult for the senior and challenging for his or her family members, but having assistance in the hospital can help. At Aunt Ann’s Home Care, we provide hospital sitting services to help seniors get the most out of their hospital stay and aid family members who can’t be by their loved one’s side at all times. Through our experience in caring for clients who are staying in the hospital, we have found that the following services are ones to consider a hospital sitter for:
- Alerting family members to changes in condition
- Providing assistance overnight with incontinence, toileting, repositioning in bed, etc.
- Providing companionship and conversation to pass the time
- Promoting and encouraging exercise and movement recommended by physicians and therapists
We can also provide an easy transition from hospital to home once the senior is released to help the senior heal and reduce the risk of re-hospitalization. At Aunt Ann’s Home Care, we can tailor a specific plan of care to meet each client’s individual needs.
Resources:
When anticipating a stay in the hospital, a senior’s best resources will be the physician and the local hospital in which he or she will be staying. Often, the hospital’s website will provide information on what to expect while staying for a procedure or illness, but the physician can provide information on what to expect for specific conditions.
