More people than ever are going right home from the hospital following surgery, strokes, or falls and skipping rehab facilities due to the coronavirus pandemic. Some are even pulling loved ones out of rehab facilities to decrease their risk of Covid-19. So what can you do to make the hospital to home transition easier for you and your loved one?
Live In Place helps you find creative solutions to get family members home quickly, and how to modify in ways to keep them home safely. However, these are some questions you’ll want to ask yourself as you evaluate how to manage home modifications and make skipping rehab as safe as possible:
1. How does the patient enter the home? Oftentimes there are obstacles like steps or porches that could make entering the home difficult. Simple modifications like railings and stair grips could make entering and exiting easier. Rebuilding step heights, and modular or permanent ramps are more long-term solutions available as well.
2. Where is the patient going to sleep? Make sure there is an accessible place to comfortably sleep. If main level bedrooms are not possible, existing bedrooms can be made more accessible with stairlifts or a second railing depending on mobility.
3. Are the bathrooms accessible? It is not just being able to access the bathroom, but also safety on/off the toilet and in/out of the shower. Grab bars, fixtures, and balance poles can increase safety and independence.
4. Are there any furniture height issues? Check the height of beds, chairs, and toilets to ensure accessibility.
5. What level of care will be needed? Foregoing a rehab facility may mean additional medical care or home care assistance may be needed. Whether that care is provided by a family member or a home care professional, ensure that the home is accessible for them and any equipment they may need.
6. How will the patient move throughout the home? Clear paths to designated areas of the home. Then evaluate transitions (steps, doorways, changes in types of flooring) to limit fall risks.
7. Are there accessible emergency exits? In case of an emergency, the patient and anyone else living in the home should have a strategy for a swift exit. Planning ahead can save lives, especially if an obstacle is identified and can be removed before the emergency.
8. What are immediate vs. mid-term vs. long-term needs? Immediate needs can include transportation home, bedside commodes, and a place to sleep safely. Then, an assessment by Live In Place can help you determine the mid- and long-term solutions for ease of care, safety, and independence.
Once you’ve considered these questions, let Live in Place handle the modifications. We are taking all precautions for in-home consultations, and can install 98% of the recommended modifications quickly. Let us help you make the transition from hospital to home safely!