Not surprisingly, several studies have found a direct link between hospital admissions and disability in the elderly. When there is an acute case and hospitalization is sought, the development of a future disability is more likely than before the hospitalization. The theory that has been set forth is that this information can be used when trying to decide the best course of action for establishing senior care.
It’s not very realistic to believe that hospitals are causing disabilities in the elderly. Still, it cannot be denied that there is a correlation here. Perhaps the most severe issues are the ones that are being sent to the hospital for treatment, and this is why disability development is at such a high rate. Or, perhaps it has something to do with the mental effect that being stuck in a hospital for long periods of time has. Regardless, it’s something that needs to be addressed. When you consider the fact that those with disabilities are far more prone to have higher mortality rates, the issue becomes even more severe.
When a disability develops, there are many things that you can do to help your loved one compensate for their new situation. There are ways around a stay in a hospital in some cases by seeking treatment in assisted living facilities or nursing homes with rehabilitation centers. Some in-home caregivers are also able to help with recovery tasks. At the very least, a professional caregiver should be able to take your mom or dad to a physical therapy appointment if the service you hire provides transportation.
One other aspect of the study focused on the last year of participants lives. It was found that 70 percent had been in the hospital at least once during this time, and 45 percent had been hospitalized multiple times. For the people you love, this is not a fate that you probably wish them to have. If your loved one is elderly and not doing well physically, the hospital might be a necessity, but it might not be, too. In some cases, hospice care, or home palliative care, could be much more attractive to them. These comfort focused types of care revolve around providing your loved one with simple, loving environments, rather than the cold confines of a hospital room. It is a far better way for some to spend the last weeks of their lives.
Hopefully, this information can help people to make more informed decisions when it comes to finding medical treatment and care for the people that they love. The latter senior years can be difficult to navigate, and finding relevant and helpful information can be a chore. As more information about this specific topic develops, how senior care is given will need to change. For now, though, things like in-home care and palliative care are great ideas because they minimize the stress of the hospital and nursing home, all while ensuring that your loved one has the care that they need to stay as safe and healthy as possible.
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