After being discharged from hospital following a major injury, surgery or illness it can be difficult to know what to do. Once a loved one has left hospital it is important to remember that this doesn’t mean that things have gone back to normal and their care needs may have changed. These changes can have negative implications on the mental health of the elderly if not dealt with in a compassionate and empathetic way.
What are the benefits of domiciliary care after a major injury, stroke or illness?
Going from a hospital stay to living back at home is a huge jump. Many elderly people will struggle to cope with this change alone, however help is available. When entrusting a care agency like Care24Seven our 1 to 1 personalised care can have many mental health benefits that your loved one will experience in comparison to other forms of care.
Flexibility
At Care24Seven we recognise that everyone’s care needs are different, this fact is especially prevalent after a medium or long term hospital stay. Though your loved ones immediate care needs may be more hands-on, it is likely that these needs will change and reduce as rehabilitatory care is provided. At Care24Seven our care options are completely flexible and start within 48hrs of assessment. Many elderly people will have issues with full term care due to the loss of freedoms which can have negative mental health implications, at Care24Seven we can work with your loved one to preserve their independence.
Getting help from a care agency like Care24Seven is not only beneficial for the mental health of your elderly loved ones, but also the close family and friends who the duty of care would otherwise fall to. Being responsible for the care of a loved one can be time consuming and draining and hiring a carer, even if only part time provides rest for the elderly person’s family. Not only this, but it also provides peace of mind, with the family knowing that their elderly loved one is being well looked after.
Rehabilitation
When you request post hospital stay care we will ensure that the carer we find for your loved one can help with recovery. Our carers are experienced and empathetic. As an agency we save you time and stress choosing the right carer for your situation. With home care your loved one can benefit from 1 to 1 care that is specifically tailored to them and their recovery, a benefit that can be hard to come by in residential care homes.
Human and Animal Companionship
Loneliness is commonplace among the elderly, in fact more than 2 million people in England over the age of 75 live alone, and more than a million older people say they go for over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member. There are many negative mental health issues that come from social isolation, such as depression and feelings of worthlessness. Conversely, regular social interaction is not only great from a mental health perspective, but having conversations is beneficial for maintaining cognitive ability in old age.
Another benefit of at home care is any pets that your loved one has, can remain with them. There are so many physical and mental health benefits to the elderly for keeping pets, they can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, increase social interaction, physical activity and keep the mind busy. Even if your loved one is unable to provide their pet with its full range of needs let us know and we can find you a carer who can also take the care needs of the animal into consideration.
A Familiar Space
Going from living at home to a long stay in a hospital can be an extremely stressful experience, this can be made even more difficult by having to completely uproot and move into a residential care home. The complete change of setting can lead to feelings of vulnerability and confusion. It is especially beneficial for those in the early stages of dementia as it is far less disorientating.
If you have an elderly loved one who is about to come out of hospital then it is important you understand all your options and how these can affect their mental and physical wellbeing. If you’d like advice then speak with a member of the team at Care24Seven today and we can help you find the best option for you and your loved one’s circumstance.