The good news is that your loved one is progressing well and can leave the hospital in a few days. Now is the time to think about arranging for some type of care for the upcoming recuperative period. A lot can go into arranging for after hospital care at home Milwaukee WI, depending on the duration of the recovery and the level of support needed. Here are four elements that are sure to be part of the planning.
Maintaining the Medication Schedule
There will likely be medication to administer during the early days of the recovery. Some may have to do with pain management, but others may have the effect of reducing the risk of infection or keeping inflammation from developing. Whatever the case, missing a dose is out of the question.
A caregiver can ensure the medication is administered on time and in the correct dosage. This will go a long way toward helping your loved one be more comfortable, experience less pain, and in general be poised to continue healing.
Hygiene and Bandage Changing
There’s a good chance your loved one will have little physical stamina during the first part of the home recovery period. That means help with personal hygiene may be needed. This is especially true if there are bandages present. A caregiver can help with sponge baths and also ensure the bandages don’t get wet.
Those bandages will also need changing at some point. A caregiver who is trained in how to remove the old ones, properly assess the wound, and apply fresh dressing will definitely make things easier for your loved one.
Nutritious Meal Plans
It’s not unusual for people to leave the hospital with some dietary recommendations. Since your loved one won’t be standing in the kitchen preparing meals, that task will be handled by the caregiver. With someone who knows how to prepare the meals, your loved one can get the nutrition needed and continue to recover.
When arranging for the after hospital care at home Milwaukee WI, mention the fact that a special diet will be required for at least a few weeks. This will allow the agency to ensure whoever is assigned knows how to follow recipe instructions and prepare the meals as directed in the dietitian’s recommendations.
Attention to Physical Therapy
There’s a good chance that physical therapy will be part of the recovery process. Some of that therapy will involve exercises at home while other parts may take place under the care of a therapist at a local facility. The caregiver can ensure that the exercises that should be done at home are completed according to the schedule. Thanks to that attention to detail, the patient is likely to find the time with the physical therapist more effective.
The range of exercises done at home will likely change as the recovery progresses. That’s good news, but it also means having a caregiver who communicates well with the therapist. Their combined efforts will go a long way toward helping your loved one heal sooner rather than later.
If there are other factors that the attending physician brings up, mention them to the agency that’s providing the home care after the hospital stay. Those needs can be incorporated into the plan for providing the care, and ensure all of your loved one’s needs are met.