Home Care After Hospital Discharge

Home Care After Hospital Discharge

Coming home from the hospital is a relief, but the first days at home are often the hardest. Your loved one may be weak, taking new medicines and unsteady on their feet, and family members may not be able to be there around the clock. Accountable Home Care, Inc. is a locally family-owned and operated, licensed nurse registry in Palm Beach Gardens, serving families since 2014. We refer experienced, screened CNAs and home health aides for the first days home and for as long as your loved one needs help, in Palm Beach and Martin County.

Why the First Weeks Home Matter

After a hospital stay, weakness, new or changed medicines and new limits on walking, lifting or bathing can make everyday tasks risky. A caregiver at home helps your loved one:

• Get up, walk and use the bathroom safely, to help prevent falls
• Take medicines on schedule with reminders
• Eat regular meals and drink enough fluids
• Follow the discharge instructions from the care team
• Get to follow-up appointments
• Rest while someone else handles the household

Plan Care Before Discharge

Discharges can happen quickly, sometimes with only a day’s notice. To prepare:

• Ask the discharge planner or case manager when discharge is expected and what help your loved one will need at home
• Ask whether the doctor is ordering home health visits from a nurse or therapist, or a stay in a rehab facility
• Get a copy of the discharge instructions and the medicine list
• Ask what equipment is needed, such as a walker, shower chair or hospital bed. We can help you coordinate medical supplies and equipment.
• Call us with the discharge date so we can talk about caregiver scheduling

Is your loved one still in the hospital? A hospital sitter can stay with them during the hospital stay, and care can continue at home.

How a Caregiver Helps After Discharge

• Help with bathing, dressing and toileting
• Medication reminders following the new medicine list
• Meal preparation following the diet the care team recommends
• Light housekeeping and laundry
• Rides to follow-up appointments, the pharmacy and errands
• Overnight care for nighttime bathroom trips and peace of mind
• Companionship and someone to notice changes and let the family know

Home Care After Common Hospital Stays

Surgery

After a joint replacement, heart surgery or back surgery, help with bathing, dressing and getting around makes recovery safer. See post-surgery home care.

Stroke

Caregivers help with safe transfers, daily tasks and practicing the home programs therapists prescribe. See stroke recovery care at home.

Heart failure, pneumonia and COPD

Caregivers help with meals, rest, medicine reminders and daily tasks, and let the family know if your loved one seems more tired or short of breath than usual.

A fall or broken bone

Steady help with walking, bathing and the bathroom lowers the chance of another fall. See fall prevention for seniors at home.

Confusion after a hospital stay

Some older adults become confused during or after a hospital stay. Tell the doctor if confusion continues. If your loved one has memory problems, see our dementia care at home.

Home Health Care and Home Care Work Together

If the doctor orders home health care, Medicare usually covers part-time visits from nurses and therapists for people who are homebound. Those visits are short and do not include ongoing help with daily living. Our caregivers can help in the hours in between. Learn the difference between home health care and in-home care. Many families also retain a licensed RN geriatric care manager to coordinate care between doctors. See how a nurse registry works.

How Many Hours of Care Will You Need?

Many families start with 24-hour home care or overnight care for the first few days home, then reduce to a few hours a day as their loved one gets stronger. We match caregivers for four to 24 hours a day.

Paying for Care After a Hospital Stay

• Private pay, by the hour with no long-term contract
• Long-term care insurance: many policies cover non-medical home care. Learn about paying for in-home care.
• VA benefits: veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for VA Aid and Attendance
• Medicare covers home health visits a doctor orders, but not ongoing non-medical care

Common Questions About Home Care After Discharge

How soon can care start? Call us as soon as you know the discharge date, and we will talk about your timing. We often help families arrange care after a hospital discharge.

Is this medical care? No. Our caregivers provide non-medical help with daily living, safety and companionship. Your loved one’s doctors, nurses and therapists continue to manage medical care.

Do we need a doctor’s order? Non-medical home care paid privately does not need a doctor’s order. Long-term care insurance policies may have their own requirements.

What is the minimum number of hours? We match caregivers for four to 24 hours a day. Tell us the schedule you have in mind, and we will talk through your options.

How much does it cost? Rates depend on your loved one’s personalized care plan, including whether lifting or transfers are needed. See how much home care costs, or call a care team member to ask about rates.

Home Care After Discharge Near You

We refer caregivers in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Tequesta, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Wellington, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Hobe Sound, Stuart and Palm City, along with the rest of Palm Beach and Martin County.

Plan Your Loved One’s Return Home

Call (561) 320-0055 or schedule a free in-home assessment. Tell us the discharge date and what the care team has told you, and we will help you plan safe care for the first days home and beyond.