You’ll probably be happy to receive the news of your loved one leaving the hospital, but recovery and the transition to living at home again can be challenging for everyone involved. Whether you’re an experienced caregiver or new to caring for your loved one, you may be worried about handling the daily medical tasks that come with recovery. Keep your loved ones safe and reduce the risk of complications with these tips for a hospital discharge.
Know Your Limits
Knowing your personal limits will help you make the best decisions for your loved one’s recovery from the moment they leave the hospital. If they have injuries or illnesses that make it difficult to travel long distances, you may need to consider long-distance non-emergency medical transportation. These transport teams are well-equipped to handle various situations while keeping your loved one safe and comfortable.
In addition, it’s nearly impossible for one person to provide adequate care continuously. With that in mind, you may need to seek out professional help to assist you in your caregiving efforts. There’s no shame in asking for help; in fact, it’s the best way to ensure your loved one receives the best care possible.
Limit Their Contact With Other People
After release from the hospital, your loved one will be increasingly susceptible to other illnesses. Therefore, you should limit their contact with other people. You can do this by keeping them in a separate room, avoiding shared items, and restricting their proximity to others during visits. Furthermore, wearing gloves and a face mask while caring for them can reduce the spread of germs and keep them safe as they recover.
Disinfect Their Space
As previously mentioned, your loved one likely has a compromised immune system after spending time in the hospital. You can help protect them from germs and bacteria by sanitizing their space regularly. Consider cleaning high-touch items such as phones, doorknobs, and tabletops several times each week and washing any linens with very hot water for the best possible sanitation.
Leaving the hospital isn’t the end of recovery, and so much more healing is required after transitioning back home. With these tips for a hospital discharge, you’ll be able to assist in recovery and keep your loved ones safe.
