Healing at home: how home care can help you recover better after a hospital stay or surgery
If you’ve ever been in hospital for more than a day appointment, you’ll know that feeling of wanting to get up and go home as soon as your recovery begins. Many people believe they will get better faster at home, but before you can leave hospital, you’ll need to show you are capable of being at home, albeit with support. (More on how we can help with that below!)
Staying in a hospital bed for extended periods isn’t actually very good for us. According to a CTV article:
“Health-care professionals have long recognized the negative physical and psychological effects of spending too much time in bed. Some of the physical side effects include delirium, pneumonia, pressure injuries and overall weakness. Depression and lethargy are common psychological side effects.”
So, inspired by a similar study in the UK, the post-acute rehab unit at Foothills Medical Centre here in Calgary has been encouraging patients to get out of bed, wash themselves and dress in their own clothing. This is an important shift in mindset, as one patient on the program explained:
“In a gown, you feel like you’re sick, like you’re a patient. Getting dressed is a step in the right direction.”
The study published its results in April 2024, and showed that of the 32,884 patients discharged from Alberta Hospitals, those involved in the program:
- Reduced their stay in hospital by 1.8 days
- More were discharged to their homes rather than a care facility
- Rates of mobilization and self-dressing increased
Hospital discharge planning
If you are in an Alberta hospital, before you leave you and the person who will care for you will meet with a discharge planner to discuss your situation and requirements. According to MyHealth Alberta, this will include:
“• What care and services you may need after you leave. This can include nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy.
• What equipment you may need, such as a walker or oxygen.
• Whether or not you can get care at your home. You may need to go to another health care setting … or family or friends may stay with you at your home, or you may stay with them.”
Coming home; the challenges
Returning home from a stay in hospital is both exciting and daunting, for both the person who has been ill and their family / partner who will be caring for them. This is where the team at Vytality at Home can provide the extra care you need, for as long as you need. At the start of your recovery, you might want 24 hour care cover for a few days, reducing down to daytime visits alongside the other health professionals who will be caring for you when you feel able.
If you or a loved one have a scheduled operation coming up, or have a relative in hospital now, call us to discuss your potential requirements as soon as possible. Then we can work with you to ensure that there is the right level of care in place for their discharge date. We can also provide home care services if you stay with a relative in the Calgary area at their home too.
To discuss your requirements:
Caring for your caregiver
When you return home, and are cared for by a relative, they may need a little respite at times too. We offer respite care services which lets them go out and do what they need to do without worry, knowing that you are being cared for by one of our experienced, friendly caregivers. Respite care also gives you a break from your relative and someone different to talk to!
Reducing readmissions
Alberta had an unplanned readmission rate of 9.2% in the year 2021-22 from patients who had left hospital after medical, surgical, pediatric or obstetric care. As the report states:
“Readmission rates can be influenced by the quality of care provided, the effectiveness of the care transitions and coordination, and the availability and use of community programs. Monitoring these rates can help evaluate the appropriateness of discharges and follow-up care.”
At Vytality at Home, we can play an important part in ensuring that sufficient home care is in place including personal care, working alongside medical and other follow-up care by other agencies.
Better healing with home care
Once you’re back at home, you can start to relax, and recover, safe in the knowledge that our home care team will be looking after you in your recovery and rehabilitation. Your discharge plan will also include medical services from other healthcare professional such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses, and more.
What these medical professionals simply don’t have time to provide is the kind, compassionate and practical help a home caregiver can provide. This can include helping with personal care, getting you up and dressed, doing the laundry, preparing a light meal when you want to eat it, brewing a welcome cup of tea, wheeling you out for a breath of fresh air, and keeping your brain active with crossword puzzles and brain games!
For more details and to discuss your specific requirements for home care after surgery or a hospital stay:
