When Returning Home Isn’t an Immediate Option
Post-hospitalization care for older adults, especially after a serious medical event, does not always include going back home. In fact, research shows that older adults who are not able to recover their cognitive and physical function after hospitalization for an acute illness face a higher chance of rehospitalization, disability, mortality, and placement in a long-term care facility.
To better help individuals improve function for post-hospitalization recovery, including cardiac, stroke and pulmonary rehab, strengthening, hip and knee replacements, and pain management, there are post-acute care options available for different care needs.
For families and caregivers navigating care transitions with a loved one, understanding the benefits of post-acute care, as well as the different options available, will make a positive difference in the care outcomes of the older adult.
Tune in for resources to better understand post-hospitalization care and obtain practical tips on initiating these essential conversations with a loved one.
Click to listen to this episode:
Tune in for insights and resources from Ron Culyer, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®, Owner of CarePatrol of SW Ohio, Dayton and Greater Cincinnati, and Deana Barone, Senior Care Consultant at CarePatrol of SW Ohio, Dayton and Greater Cincinnati.
About Ron:
Ron Culyer is a Nationally Certified Senior Advisor who assists families in finding safer care options for families, including Independent and Assisted Living, Memory Care, or In-home care providers.
Ron brings to CarePatrol a diverse background in customer service and senior care consulting. His 30 years of experience working with families and clients in all capacities, has given him first-hand knowledge of what people are looking for, as well as understanding their needs and the urgencies they face. Ron has grown up and watched the Greater Cincinnati area grow over the last 50 years. He looks forward to working with the families of Cincinnati, Dayton and Northern Kentucky to find and solve their varied senior living needs.
Ron graduated from Thomas More College and has a degree in Business Administration. He lives in the Greater Cincinnati area with his four adult children. He enjoys spending time with his family, playing pickleball, biking, hiking and traveling.
About Deana:
Deana Barone is a nationally certified rehabilitation counselor, case manager, and dementia practitioner/trainer whose role with CarePatrol consists of educating, consulting and advocating for seniors looking into safer living options. She provides the necessary educational and emotional support, allowing seniors to make informed decisions about their future care needs while maximizing their independence.
Deana has over 25 years of case management experience working with individuals with various mental and physical illnesses and disabilities. Prior to coming to CarePatrol, she was the Director of Case Management at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital, coordinating services and providing adjustment counseling for discharging patients and their families. She was recently certified as an Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Trainer, First Responder Dementia Trainer and a Master Trainer for Powerful Tools For Caregivers.
Her goal is to reach as many people as possible, providing them with the resources and tools to understand and effectively engage with those diagnosed with these disorders. Deana received her Master of Rehabilitation Counseling degree from Wright State University and remains active there as an adjunct professor. She believes that trust, rapport, and integrity, peppered with a little “you aren’t alone / we got this” attitude, are needed to be the best advocate for her clients.
Show Notes:
- Misconceptions about returning directly to home after a hospital stay due to injury or surgery, especially for older adults
- What if a stroke, fall or accident leads a loved one to have a short-term stay in post-acute rehab where they learn they cannot go home due to extra support that is needed? What are considerations older adults and their family caregivers should plan for?
- A client story that underscores the importance of preparing for care needs and steps to consider when navigating discharge from a hospital or rehab facility
- Tips to start the conversation with older loved ones about their care wishes
- Helpful resources for older adults and their family caregivers
Episode Resources:
- Senior Care Options: Inpatient Rehabilitation
- Senior Care Options: Skilled Nursing Facility
- Why is Respite Care Important?
- After-Hospital Care for Seniors: What Families Should Know – CarePatrol
- Post-Acute Care as a Key Component in a Healthcare System for Older Adults – Annals of Geriatric Medicine and Research
- Why Older Adults May Decline Offers of Post-Acute Care Services: A Qualitative Descriptive Study – Geriatric Nursing
- Meals on Wheels America
- National Council on Aging
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