Caregivers by WholeCare can provide support and assistance as your loved one returns home after being hospitalized for pneumonia.
What Is Home Care?
Home care provides a personalized alternative to nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Caregivers offer services such as personal care, homemaking, and companionship to older adults. These services allow seniors to remain comfortable and independent for as long as possible.
Home Care Vs Home Health
Home health is typically short-term medical services offered in the home to treat illness or injury. This type of medical help is usually provided by a registered nurse, physical, occupational, or speech therapist.
Home care agencies provide supplemental care to seniors as they transition from hospital or skilled nursing facility to home.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Home Care?
Home care is beneficial for older adults who are chronically ill, recovering from surgery, illness, or are disabled. Often seniors need some assistance with day-to-day tasks but do not need to be in a nursing home. Home care could be the right fit for them.
What Types Of Home Care Services Are Available?
Home care looks different for everyone. Each individual’s needs are unique, and our care plans are tailored to fit your unique needs. Depending on what those needs are, caregiving services can be available 24-hours a day or a few hours each week. Some of the services include:
How Home Care Helps Seniors After Hospitalization For Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by bacteria or a virus and is often a complication from the flu virus. Pneumonia causes fluid to be collected in the lungs, so individuals often have trouble breathing.
For patients who are discharged from the hospital after having pneumonia, 18% will be readmitted within 30 days. If a loved one has recently been hospitalized for pneumonia, home care can help them return home and aid their full recovery.
Below are services that home care provides that are proven to reduce readmission rates for pneumonia:
Homemaking Assistance
After leaving the hospital, a senior recovering from pneumonia may feel weak and need time to regain their strength and energy. They will need plenty of rest to avoid relapse. A caregiver can assist with light housekeeping, carrying items around the house, and running errands. These services allow seniors to get the rest they need to recover.
(source): www.lung.org
Help Build Immunity
Pneumonia often occurs when a senior’s immune system is weakened by another illness. Caregivers can help patients build their immunity by offering plenty of fluids and healthy liquid meals. They can also monitor visitors to make sure no one with a cough or cold is contaminating the home.
(source): https://medlineplus.gov
Vaccine Transportation
Getting the pneumococcal and influenza vaccine can help prevent bacterial pneumonia and help lessen the severity of the flu. Since pneumonia is often a secondary infection of the flu, getting both vaccines is critical for seniors. Our caregivers can provide transportation to and from vaccination appointments.
(source): www.lung.org
Home Care Tip
Pneumonia recovery can take up to 6 months. An in-home caregiver can offer invaluable support during recovery in the form of healthy meals, reminders to practice lung exercises, and protecting them from over-exertion. Give Us a Call. We Can Help! 615-422-7549
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