Home Care Services can reduce hospital readmission

Hospital readmissions are frustrating for individuals and families. We believe that home care services provide a safe transition from the hospital to home is key to ensuring a safe and seamless discharge home. Helping senior Australians back into their own homes and routines with adequate home care and support, is vital to their long-term health and happiness.  

Support Workers help seniors in transitioning home from the hospital can save your independence and billions of dollars! In 2015 it was estimated that the annual cost of unplanned hospital readmissions across Australia was as high as $1.5 billion¹. 

Going home from the hospital can be a complex and stressful event. Each of you might want to go home to the comfort and familiarity of your own space, but its important that you are safe to do so. Initially it can be overwhelming to go from a hospital where others are taking care of you, to needing to manage on your own without any in- home care.

When planning for transition back home you may have thoughts such as: 

• “What if I am not strong enough to be at home on my own?” 
• “Who will take care of me?” 
• “I don’t know what to do!” 

By planning and getting home care during initial days can prepare you to not only successfully make it home, but to stay home. You can partner with an in-home care service, such as Home Care Assistance or reach out to family & friends for help.

If you decide to go with a professional home care service, in addition to in-support workers, you will have a dedicated Care Manager who can act as the link between the patient, the family and healthcare professionals overseeing the health needs and mapping out a plan to address those needs. 

Home Care Assistance Care Managers can: 

• Help you or your loved one whilst admitted in the hospital 
• Work with doctors, nurses, social workers, and other professionals to provide for your current and future needs as you recover at home 
• Arrange for long-term care or in-home care on discharge 
• Support transition paperwork 

A Care Manager’s reach goes beyond the hospital and can extend to any community partners collaborating with you once you are at home. Helping you have a better understanding of what to expect when you return home will have a positive impact on overall health and wellbeing.  

We often hear how people just want to stay in their home as they age. Staying at home promotes better health and can save thousands of dollars in healthcare costs. The right home care support and education when it comes to the transition back home from hospital can make this an ongoing reality. 

Once you are discharged from a hospital, your goal should be to ensure you stay at home safely. Case Manager oversight, doctor follow-ups and home care by well-trained Care Workers are the most important pieces to the puzzle that can help prevent patients from returning too soon. 

A patient that goes home with proper support and greater success of has a smooth transition from the hospital.