Many elderly patients deteriorate mentally or physically in the hospital, even if they recover from the original illness or injury that brought them there. Helping seniors adjust after a hospital stay requires adjusting to a new way of life.
Many seniors returning home following a hospital stint may experience some struggles once they get there. Thankfully, there are strategies to cope with them.
When an elderly parent is sent home after being hospitalized for a health issue, it can be difficult for them to adjust. This is especially true if they are experiencing a loss of mobility or can’t do as much as they once did around the house after a hospital discharge.
Patient lifts are designed to lift and transfer seniors when they are unable to do it on their own. These medical devices provide many benefits, including reduced risk of injury to patients and caregivers. The key is to make sure these lifts are operated by someone who is trained and has experience with such lifts.
Many older adults are able to remain in their home as they age. However, that doesn’t mean that they are always able to get around their homes as easily as they once did. Mobility issues are an unfortunate side effect of aging and can impact a senior’s level of independence and make daily responsibilities much more challenging.
When an elderly parent wants to remain in their own home, most adult children will do all that they can to make that possible. When a parent has mobility issues, however, many children throw in the towel and decide that “aging in place” simply isn’t possible.
The loss of a parent is never easy. Even if the death was expected, when it actually happens, the grief can be overwhelming. If you were your parent’s caregiver, however, those feelings can seem unsurmountable.
When a parent you have cared for dies that loss is compounded by a feeling of no longer being needed. The process of grieving is different for everyone but can be particularly complicated for caregivers who experience a wide range of emotions that often seem impossible to navigate.
Caring for an aging parent is challenging – emotionally and physically. Even if your parent has a paid caregiver who comes into their home or they live in nursing home, you likely still spend a great deal of time with them. And when you aren’t with your parent, they are always on your mind.
There is never a reason a senior should have to settle for less than quality health care. While having to advocate for quality health care of an elderly parent is something many adult children in the United States are doing, when possible, seniors should be advocating for themselves, as well.