Elderly and disabled patients who stayed at a New York hospital due to an injury or medical condition are often readmitted later on. This might be because they have a relapse, symptoms related to their medical issue, or a new injury. Fortunately, home health care agencies in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and The Bronx can help. Patients who receive regular home health care are less likely to be readmitted and enjoy better overall health.
Can Home Health Services in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and The Bronx Prevent Hospital Re-Admissions?
Recent studies have shown that people who are visited by a home health aide are around 25% less likely to be readmitted to the hospital after being discharged. This is because their care is coordinated, and they receive assistance with the Activities of Daily Living. Good aides make sure that the living space is safe, and they keep an eye on their patients to determine whether there have been any changes.
At Parent Care, we offer various home health services. Some of our patients only require visits for a few weeks or months. Once they are no longer injured or ill, they can complete the Activities of Daily Living on their own again. Others are elderly or permanently disabled, so they benefit from regular aide visits for many years. The best way to find out more about our services is to schedule a care planning appointment.
Care Coordination with New York Home Health Care Agencies
When healthcare professionals don’t coordinate their services, patients don’t receive the high-quality care they deserve. That’s why coordination is one of our main services at Parent Care. Our aides collaborate with the patient’s other medical professionals and make sure that everyone has relevant information. As a result, doctors, nurses, and therapists know when there is a change in the patient’s condition, and appropriate measures can be taken.
Coordinated care means that healthcare professionals can respond faster, and everyone can work together to help patients feel their best. It also involves scheduling appointments smartly, so elderly or disabled people don’t get overwhelmed. The risk of injuries increases when patients are tired, so it’s important to keep schedules light and avoid multiple appointments on the same day.
Regular Assessment of the Patient’s Space
Falling is one of the biggest risks for disabled and elderly people. Every year, more than one out of four elderly patients fall, and three million people are admitted to a hospital due to a fall injury. Assessing and optimizing a vulnerable person’s home environment is one of the best ways of reducing their risk and preventing unnecessary injuries.
Home health aides are trained to recognize dangerous areas in the home, so they can help patients to remain safe. At Parent Care, our aides frequently recommend the installation of anti-slip mats, handrails, and other assistive devices that help people with restricted mobility. During each daily visit, they also make sure that everything the patient needs is easily accessible, so they are set up for the day.
Regular Assessment of the Patient’s Condition
The best home healthcare professionals are flexible, so they adapt to patients’ changing conditions. Over time, elderly or disabled people might deteriorate and require more frequent care or additional medical attention. Without a home health aide and regular check-ups, these new needs might not get recognized immediately. This increases patients’ risks of further complications and injuries.
Personal care aides are trained to recognize the symptoms of common conditions. If they notice that a patient is acting differently or feeling unwell, they can alert their supervisors or the person’s primary physician, making sure that the vulnerable individual is getting the care they need. This early intervention can often prevent more serious diseases and injuries that require hospital re-admission.
Assistance with the Activities of Daily Living
Did you know that the home is the most common location for accidents and injuries? Although you might not associate cooking, cleaning, and using the bathroom with danger, these Activities of Daily Living can be risky for people who are no longer able to handle them alone. Patients who have physical or mental health issues and don’t get regular help at home often get injured while completing household tasks.
Home health aides can help patients with a wide variety of activities. They can do light housekeeping, prepare meals, rearrange the furniture to make it easier for the patient to move around, and help with personal hygiene. Additionally, they can make sure that patients are taking the required medication, thus ensuring compliance and preventing issues related to drug misuse.
Regular Companionship
When it comes to considering a patient’s overall health, mental and social factors are often underestimated. In New York, around 20% of people suffer from a mental health condition like depression or anxiety every year. They are more likely to experience issues like headaches, digestive problems, substance abuse, obesity, and even attempted suicide. Many of these problems can result in hospitalization if they spiral out of control.
Home health care agencies like Parent Care in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and The Bronx offer companionship services as well as home health aide visits. The companion regularly visits the patient and builds up a connection with them. They might also take the patient out on shopping trips, to the park, or to regular appointments. This service is ideal for people who are at risk of becoming isolated from their communities or don’t have family living nearby.
How to Access Home Health Services
If you believe that your loved one would benefit from home health services, reach out to an agency and book a care planning appointment. Working with organizations like Parent Care is always best because they have the necessary resources to provide comprehensive care. Since we collaborate with a range of qualified and experienced caregivers, you’re never left without assistance, even if your friend or relative’s primary health aide is away or unwell.
Additionally, we can help you with various processes such as starting Medicaid enrollment and setting up coordinated care. You don’t have to come to our offices to get started. Instead, book a phone or video call at a time that suits you, and find out more about us from the comfort of your home.
When to Reach Out to an Agency
We serve people in NYC who are elderly or disabled and can no longer complete the Activities of Daily Living on their own. Our patients often have trouble with personal hygiene, getting dressed, preparing their own meals, going shopping, and moving around their homes. They might have one or several medical conditions that impact their mobility and ability to function.
You can reach out to us if your loved one already has Medicaid or if you believe that they qualify for it. We’ll evaluate your friend or relative’s condition and determine whether one of our services is right for them. If so, we’ll handle the enrollment process and match the patient with a suitable aide.
Patients who have the support of a home health aide are much less likely to be readmitted to a hospital after being discharged. This is because home health care agencies provide a comprehensive service that includes care planning, assessment of the home and the patient’s condition, and assistance with everyday tasks. Send us a message at Parent Care in New York to find out about home visits in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and The Bronx.
