Inpatient care does have some benefits. These facilities should have adequate material resources and professional care to address the patient’s medical needs. Your loved one should have access to specialist treatment to ensure a smooth recovery. Staying in a rehab facility also can offer peace of mind that comes with supervised care from skilled professionals. Licensed nurses, CNAs, and other medical staff are on location 24/7, helping with a steady recovery for your loved one. Conversely, a stay of just a few weeks in a rehab facility can feel like an eternity to many patients. This can dampen the patient’s spirits, which can lead to depression and slow the recovery process. Patients can feel bedbound or institutionalized. There’s also the increased risk of infection due to the close proximity of other patients recovering from an untold number of illnesses. An infection interrupts recovery and increases the risk of the patient being readmitted to the hospital. Healthcare-associated infections are a significant threat to patient safety.

• Activities of daily living are supported. Assistance with dressing, bathing, toileting, and other activities preserve their dignity and help maintain a good quality of life.
• Skilled nursing care can be delivered at home. Supervised nurses trained and certified in high-tech medical equipment can ensure that your loved one’s complex medical needs are met.
• Medication management is ensured. Meaning the proper medications are being taken at the correct times to control health conditions and prevent harmful drug interactions.
• Home health care professionals provide companionship from someone who cares. Social interaction helps aging adults remain healthier. Home health aides often become trusted friends who share in activities such as walks, cards, reading, meals, and more. They can also accompany your loved one on errands such as medical appointments, prescription pickup, and grocery shopping.
• Support with diet and nutrition is provided. Those recently discharged from a hospital are likely to be nutritionally at-risk, and there can be a significant loss of lean body mass. Nutritional counseling and home-cooked meals by home care professionals protect your loved one against malnutrition.