Recuperating at any age from an illness, injury, or surgery puts a lot of stress on a patient’s body – not to mention their entire family. For those aged 65+, a lengthy recovery process is typically the norm rather than the exception. Before leaving the hospital, a senior may be given the option of receiving transitional care at a rehabilitation center versus their private residence. A growing body of evidence would seem to indicate that recovering at home might be the best choice for that special senior in your life. 

Weighing Your Transitional Care Options

Events leading up to the healing period will strongly influence where and for how long the rehabilitation takes place. Depending on factors such as the home environment, availability of informal caregivers, and whether or not a senior lives alone, a discharge planner may recommend one of these transitional care options:

  • Inpatient rehabilitation center
  • Outpatient rehabilitation center
  • Long-term care facility
  • Home health care (skilled nursing and therapy services)
  • Home care services

If your loved one’s doctor is letting them recover at home, you may need to complete home modifications first to create a safer environment.

Benefits of a Home-Based Recovery

The main advantage of recovering in a professional setting is the convenience of having trained staff available who can handle your loved one’s specific needs along with any emergencies.

If that’s not an issue for your family, seniors who recover at home typically enjoy these benefits as a result:

Positive mental outlook

Being surrounded by loved ones in a familiar, comfortable environment has a positive effect on a patient’s mental health. Studies would seem to indicate that patients who recover in a suitable home setting following a knee or hip replacement surgery have no greater risk of developing postoperative complications than patients that receive care at an inpatient facility staffed by professionals.

In general, having a positive mental outlook will help motivate your loved one to stick with their recovery program and achieve their healing goals. Encouragement from friends and family can be a powerful motivator anytime your senior’s willpower supply needs replenishing.

Conveniences of home

The saying “there’s no place like home” certainly rings true when your loved one is on the mend. Nothing quite equals having all the conveniences of home nearby, including one’s comfy bed, cozy recliner, bathroom, or favorite wardrobe items.

Being familiar with their surroundings also makes it easier for your loved one to get the physical activity and mental stimulation they need. The more comfortable your loved one is, the more likely they are to stay motivated and committed throughout the rehabilitation process.

Costs less

All other considerations being equal, including healing outcomes and quality of care, recovering at home costs much less than spending the same amount of time at an inpatient facility. Once again using the postoperative knee and hip replacement patients as an example, the average savings for an at-home recovery versus an inpatient facility is over $10,000. That’s a significant difference when your loved one’s retirement nest egg is on the line.

How to Avoid Caregiver Stress

Although helping an aging loved one recover at home is highly gratifying, it can also be mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting – notably when you’re the primary caregiver. You may need to take a temporary break (respite) to avoid caregiver stress. If no loved ones are available to step in, another option is to hire a professional in-home caregiver from a reputable home care provider.

Flexible In-Home Respite Care for Families in Fort Myers, FL

Helping an aging loved one transition from hospital to home can sometimes be nerve-wracking. Another proven way to ensure a speedy recovery is by hiring a professional in-home caregiver to assist them. Put your mind at ease by contacting the caring professionals from Home Instead® Senior Care. Conveniently available in Naples, Fort Myers, and Charlotte County, FL, our senior care services help to enhance the aging experience by providing practical support at home.

Our reliable in-home solutions help aging adults stay engaged in everyday life with tailor-made support to stay safe and well at home. At Home Instead, it is always our mission to provide a care plan personalized to your family’s needs – bringing you all comfort, companionship, and peace of mind. To learn more or schedule a time to talk with one of our home care specialists, please visit us at www.homeinsteadswfl.com.