Ready-Set-Go Home with Transitional Care

Transitional care involves support from one setting to another. At Visiting Angels^® Eau Claire, we have a senior care program dedicated to the transition from hospital to home. Named Ready-Set-Go Home, this program has been built to minimize seniors' risk of having to return to the hospital after they have been discharged.

What Causes Hospital Readmissions?

For seniors, there is a nearly 1 in 5 risk of being rehospitalized only 30 days after discharge. This statistic is concerning for several reasons. Hospital stays can be stressful and exhausting for older adults. They can also be particularly distressing for seniors' families. In addition, it's important to keep in mind that repeat visits to the hospital can increase seniors' risk of exposure to hospital-acquired infections.

Understanding why seniors are often readmitted to the hospital is crucial for preventing rehospitalization. One of the many factors to consider is how vulnerable seniors are following a hospital stay. They generally are not able to jump back into their former routines and sometimes cannot perform basic tasks without help. If they lack reliable support, they may not be able to maintain their well-being.

How Our Transitional Care Program Helps Seniors in Eau Claire

Rather than only helping care recipients after they have returned home from the hospital, we initiate care right away by visiting them during their hospital stay. This gives our care coordinators the chance to set expectations and provide key resources. Care coordinators also meet with seniors' family members to plan for the discharge process and start scheduling home care visits.

Home care visits post-hospital stay are tailored to the specific needs of the care recipient and the instructions they have been given by their physicians. Examples of services our transitional care providers at Visiting Angels Eau Claire can deliver while seniors recover at home are:

• Mobility assistance and help with personal care
• Transportation to follow-up appointments at doctors' offices
• Reminders about taking medications and following doctors' orders
• Ongoing monitoring of seniors' well-being and recovery
• Preparation of healthy meals and encouragement to stay hydrated

While our caregivers work to support seniors during the recovery process, our office staff facilitate the logistics of care. As a result, Ready-Set-Go Home includes the whole range of services seniors may need to minimize their risk of avoidable complications.

Set up a free transitional care consultation in Eau Claire, Altoona, Chippewa Falls, Lake Hallie, Menomonie, or the surrounding areas. Just give Visiting Angels Eau Claire a call today!