Home Care Helps Seniors with Short-Term Memory Loss in Virginia Beach
Visiting Angels of Virginia Beach offers professional home care services to help elderly adults who are having short-term memory loss while they are healing from surgery. Right after waking up and for weeks after surgery, seniors often have severe impairments in their short-term memory. This memory loss can make it harder for them to get better quickly, which is why personalized care is so important. Our method is based on providing seniors in Virginia Beach, VA with both in-home memory care and transitional care as they go from the hospital to the comfort of their own home, leaving no stone unturned on their road to recovery.
Understanding Short-Term Memory Loss and How It Impacts Seniors Recovering from Surgery in Virginia Beach, VA
Our home care services have been providing comprehensive assistance and support for seniors living independently in Virginia Beach, VA since we first opened our doors in 2016. Virginia Beach has seen a growing need for effective home care solutions for elderly loved ones who are recovering from a surgical procedure, as many families seek reliable, compassionate help for their loved ones during the recovery process. Our owner, Jennifer Bowhey, has seen firsthand what can happen when a senior loved one doesn't have this level of support during their recovery.
Understanding Short-Term Memory Loss After Surgery
There is a type of short-term loss of memory known as postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) that can impact an individual's ability to recall what has recently occurred, learn new things, or remember new things after they've undergone surgery. POCD is most common in older adults following surgery, and in a study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, it was discovered that 40 percent of adults aged over 60 might suffer from some form of postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Risk increases with advancing age, nature of surgery undertaken, and type of anesthetic used during the procedure.
Common signs of POCD include:
- Difficulty in remembering and recalling information
- Trouble completing simple tasks
- Inability to complete intellectually stimulating activities like reading a book or working on crossword puzzles
- Problems with multitasking
- Reduced fine motor skills
- Trouble with comprehending language
- Problems with socializing, such as following conversations or remembering people's names
POCD can become disorienting and even dangerous when the patient is attempting to return to normal activities. Short-term memory loss can result in confusion and misunderstandings with hospital staff, issues with administering medication, or avoidance of proper physical rehabilitation necessary for recovery. Even after being discharged from the hospital, these POCD symptoms have the potential to critically hinder the recovery process of seniors by inducing stress, confusion, and even accidents at home such as falling.
With such risks looming, providing memory care to a senior loved one soon after having surgery, whether they've undergone cardiothoracic surgery at Sentara Mid-Atlantic Cardiothoracic Surgeons or hip replacement surgery at the Jordan-Young Institute, is essential.
How Professional Home Care Helps Seniors with Short-Term Memory Loss Recover in Virginia Beach
For elderly adults coping with POCD in Virginia Beach, professional home care is an essential component of the postoperative recovery process. It is critical to help seniors both upon discharge from the hospital and when they go back into their regular routines at home after surgery. A professional caregiver can ease the way to recovery for your senior loved one by offering both practical and emotional assistance.
A consistent level of care is one of the main advantages of hiring an in-home caregiver. Since seniors with short-term memory loss may have trouble following discharge instructions or communicating with caregivers, having a committed caregiver accompany them on hospital rounds may be a great help. This way, if they're experiencing memory issues, the care team will be prepared to address such issues with individualized support.
Additionally, with the help of a professional home care provider, it is easier to stick to a rehabilitation plan, which may include managing medications, preparing meals, and aiding with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). These tasks may seem easy, but they can be very hard and even dangerous for older adults with POCD if they are not handled properly.
How to Choose an Effective Home Care Provider in Virginia Beach, VA
Families looking for professional home care in Virginia Beach should be mindful to evaluate potential providers using a number of key factors.
The most important thing is to find a service that can make a personalized care plan for your senior loved one. The plan should not only include assistance with essential tasks, but also steps for memory care and help with transitioning home after being discharged. Visiting Angels of Virginia Beach has an emphasis on client-centered senior care and works hard to personalize care plans for each client.
Also, families should check the caregivers' credentials, especially whether they have experience dealing with cognitive problems like POCD-related short-term memory loss. Professional management of a senior's postoperative recovery depends on caregivers who are skilled at advocating for their needs upon discharge from the hospital.
Another thing to think about is how the provider handles overnight home care. It is essential to have someone around overnight to help older adults who have had minor surgeries but are still healing. In order to ensure that safety procedures are followed and that the elderly person does not unintentionally jeopardize their recovery, caregivers must remain alert throughout the night so they can help with things like getting to and from the bathroom.
Lastly, prices must be reasonable and easy to understand. If families want to know that they can afford high-quality home care without breaking the bank, they should look for an agency that offers transparent pricing plans with no hidden fees. Visiting Angels of Virginia Beach has been a go-to for many Virginia Beach families since 2016 because to our affordable rates and flexible service options.
The Difference In-Home Care from Visiting Angels Can Make in the Postoperative Recovery Journey for Seniors in Virginia Beach, VA
The fact that Visiting Angels of Virginia Beach specializes in both memory care and transitional care sets us apart from other home care agencies in the area. Seniors face many problems after surgery. Problems with short-term memory are a major cause for worry since they might affect daily habits like taking medications or exercising after surgery. Understanding these difficulties, our team is committed to establishing a plan of care that meets our clients' physical and mental requirements.
In addition, our in-home memory care services assist seniors in overcoming cognitive problems, allowing them to retain a high level of independence while still getting the assistance they need. In addition to addressing memory problems immediately after surgery, these programs also include cognitive training exercises that may improve memory retention and brain health in the long run.
As patient advocates, the caregivers at Visiting Angels of Virginia Beach not only show compassion but also keep the medical professionals and rehabilitation teams informed of any memory problems their clients may be experiencing. This kind of support is especially helpful when determining whether to adjust a senior's medication routine or noticing small changes in their mental health. One of the most important factors in minimizing the likelihood of readmission and improving the quality of recovery is the capacity to facilitate communication between the home and hospital settings.
Personalized, Flexible, and Affordable Home Care Options
One of the best things about Visiting Angels' home care services is the individualized attention that seniors get from our caregivers as they heal after surgery. We provide adaptable care plans because we know that each senior's road to recovery is different and that their requirements will change over time. By addressing both the physiological and psychological needs of our clients, our personalized home care options may ease the emotional and mental burdens that come with postoperative memory loss.
In the early stages of recovery after surgery, a senior with intermittent short-term memory loss due to POCD may need extensive support with routine activities and medication reminders. As their health improves, the plan may be adjusted to reduce monitoring or schedule transportation to fitness classes at the Hilltop Family YMCA. Additionally, their care plan may be easily modified to include extra monitoring and support in the event that an unanticipated postoperative issue develops, such as an infection or an unexpected decrease in mobility.
The home care services offered by Visiting Angels of Virginia Beach are also more cost-effective than those of competing agencies because giving clients the option to customize their care plans guarantees that they don't have to pay for any unnecessary services. Lower prices don't mean lower quality; in fact, they represent our dedication to provide seniors in Virginia Beach with affordable, personalized care so they may get the help they truly need without breaking the bank. Additionally, we accept many different private payment methods, such as long-term care insurance and Aid & Attendance benefits for veterans and surviving spouses.
We Offer Memory Care and Transitional Care to Help Seniors Dealing with POCD
When it comes to assisting seniors in achieving effective recovery outcomes, Visiting Angels of Virginia Beach stands out from other local home care agencies due to our combined approach of memory care and transitional care. Because many elderly adults experience short-term memory issues after surgery, this comprehensive approach is even more important. Integrating memory care into the recovery process increases the likelihood that seniors will follow post-operative instructions and decreases the likelihood that they will encounter problems that might lengthen their recovery time.
Our home care services for seniors dealing with POCD revolve around memory care, which is frequently brought up because it is a promise we make to our clients and their families. We understand the complexity of memory issues among older adults and are dedicated to managing them with compassion and professionalism. Our caregivers are prepared to address the unique difficulties associated with memory loss, which improves client safety and well-being. A key component of effective postoperative recovery is structured memory care programs, as new research shows that they may enhance cognitive outcomes in the elderly.
When a senior is released from the hospital, for example, the abrupt transition back to living on their own may be too much for them to handle. However, a caregiver from Visiting Angels of Virginia Beach will be there to make sure they are secure, supported, and monitored throughout their whole return home.
Conversely, transitional care serves as a link between inpatient treatment and self-sufficiency. It is common for elderly adults to need constant supervision after surgery to prevent falls and ensure they take their medications as prescribed. Upon their release from the hospital, our staff jumps in to help them adjust by developing a plan of care that can take their specific requirements into account. Research published in BMC Health Services shows that seniors with custom-tailored home care solutions had a nearly 25 percent reduction in hospital readmission rates, demonstrating the substantial influence that a flexible approach had on their overall recovery.
Learn About our Ready-Set-Go Home Program
The Ready-Set-Go Home program from Visiting Angels of Virginia Beach is intended to provide assistance to seniors after being discharged from the hospital in order to enable a smooth recovery and maintain their independence. Seniors can require a caregiver throughout the day after undergoing surgery, especially if they are bedridden or there is doubt about their stability. Keeping our clients under constant observation in the initial phases of recovery is crucial to their overall recovery.
Our Ready-Set-Go Home program includes a comprehensive suite of transitional care services meant to assist with:
- Medication reminders, ensuring scheduled doses are taken correctly, and picking up medication refills from Kempsville Pharmacy
- Assistance with ADLs, such as bathing, dressing, and preparing meals
- Monitoring vital signs and overall well-being throughout the night
- Ensuring safety in the home to minimize fall risks and accidents
Among the many components of our Ready-Set-Go Home program is training our in-home caregivers to recognize the symptoms of POCD in addition to offering caring companionship. Our Ready-Set-Go Home program gives families in Virginia Beach a voice in their elderly loved one's care by keeping them and hospital personnel updated on their cognitive condition and any developments that may require a change in their care plan.
Transitional care and memory care are available at Visiting Angels of Virginia Beach to help seniors who are recovering from surgery, particularly those who may be dealing with symptoms of POCD. As part of our dedication to providing personalized, adaptable senior care, we closely monitor and adjust each care plan as needed to suit our clients' changing requirements. Our caregivers manage each senior's road to recovery with professionalism, empathy, and expert direction via our Ready-Set-Go Home program's extensive transitional care services and specialized in-home memory care.
Your Next Step with Visiting Angels of Virginia Beach
Consider looking into the expert home care solutions offered by Visiting Angels of Virginia Beach if you or a loved one are concerned about the consequences of short-term memory loss after surgery. To learn more about how our memory care and transitional care services may aid in postoperative recovery and promote long-term independence for your elderly loved one, request a free in-home consultation with our team.
Call our Virginia Beach, VA office at 757-216-1934 or fill out our form today to get started!