The last thing you want after your senior returns home from the hospital is for her to have to go right back in. So it’s vital that you know what to watch out for and what to do in case she’s not recovering as well as you’d both like.
Follow the Instructions in the Release Paperwork
Before your elderly family member leaves the hospital, her doctor will give her some paperwork related to her release. This paperwork usually lists out aftercare instructions and any tips that might help you to know that she’s in danger of relapsing. The paperwork will also let you know if you need any special equipment for your senior. If any of the paperwork doesn’t make sense, make sure that you ask questions to get as much information as possible.
Pay Attention to Your Senior’s Symptoms
Once your aging family member is safely home, you’ll need to pay close attention to her symptoms. She may experience some pain, especially after surgery, but there are limits. If she’s experiencing a fever along with pain or excessive pain, this can be a bad sign. Other symptoms to watch for might be shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, or redness at an incision site.
Listen if Your Senior Tells You She Doesn’t Feel Right
You might think your senior is just being melodramatic when she tells you that she’s not feeling right, but it’s possible that she’s giving you important information. It’s always better to be safe than sorry and no one knows her body better than your senior does. So if she’s insistent that something isn’t right, it might not be.
Does She Seem to Feel Worse Instead of Better?
If your elderly family member seems as if she’s feeling worse rather than better, especially after a day or two of being home, there might be more going on. It’s important to at least call her doctor and see if there’s anything more specific you should watch for. It might be nothing, but this can also be a subtle sign that there’s something else going on.
Hiring home care providers can help you to stay on top of all of these details. It’s not uncommon at all for caregivers to worry that they’re overreacting, but home care providers have experience with helping aging adults return home from the hospital. They can let you know if they see anything that is concerning.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Care in Tolleson, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Home Care Resources at (602) 443-4700
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