How You Can Discuss Transitional Care With a Loved One

There may be instances when a loved one is ready to leave the hospital but not exactly ready to return to their usual activities and care for themselves at home. For this, transitional care is an option that the family can explore. The problem is that not all patients welcome the idea of transitional care and so it’s not an easy conversation to have. However, if you are certain that your loved one needs transitional care, it’s a discussion worth having.  In this post, we are sharing more information about transitional care and, more importantly, how you can discuss it with a loved one who needs it:

What Is Transitional Care and What Can You Expect from It?

Transitional care is a type of care arrangement that bridges the gap between being admitted to a hospital or rehab facility and going straight home. This arrangement can include a rental unit located in a medically-secure, closely-monitored community. It can also be a private room in a nursing facility or extended care facility closer to home. In addition to the medical support your loved one will receive, it may also be the case that your loved one will have to undergo physical therapy or occupational therapy in order to help them return home successfully.

What Should You Consider When Choosing a Transitional Care Facility?

There are many options to consider when choosing a transitional care facility. While each facility may have different pros and cons, the goal is the same: to provide the best care possible.  When looking for a facility to help your loved one with transitional care, it’s important to consider:

• Is the facility making regular check-ins with the primary caregiver?
• Is the facility ensuring that the caregiver has everything they need to feel confident and fully supported in their new role?
• How easy or difficult is it for family members and loved ones to visit the patient?
• Does the facility offer regular updates and communication to the primary caregiver?
• How does the facility ensure the safety and wellbeing of the patient and the family members or loved ones?

How to Propose the Idea of Getting Your Loved One to a Transitional Care Facility

Make a Thorough Plan

When you decide to talk to your loved one about getting help with transitional care, the first thing you should do is get all of the information you can. This way, you can answer any queries that your loved one might have regarding transitional care and the facility you're considering.

Listen to Your Loved One’s Fears and Hesitations

You will likely encounter at least some resistance to the idea of transitional care, so it’s important to listen to your loved one. If your loved one has hesitations, try to find out why.

Communicate With Compassion

Often, a patient is hesitant because they are worried about being away from home and not being able to care for themselves properly. It’s important to reassure your loved ones that they will be cared for properly while they are in transitional care.

Conclusion

Transitional care is something that so many people still do not understand fully so it’s important for transitional care facilities to get more information out there. Patients need to know more about it so they can be more at ease going into a transitional care facility. Every aspect should be discussed, including the kind of care they’ll be receiving, where they’ll be staying, how often they could see family, and how long they could be staying there. When patients have the information they need, it will be easier for them to accept transitional care.  Medistics Health is a remote patient monitoring system that makes transitional care management easier. Our medical devices may also be used by patients at home so their physicians will get alerted immediately if the machines detect anything wrong. Find out more about our remote patient monitoring system today!