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If you are ready to return home from the hospital to recuperate from treatment for a disease or injury, there are 12 questions you need to consider. You will want to address issues of accessibility, mobility, and the amount of assistance and outside care you will need.
1. Who decides when I can return home?
While you are in the hospital, the medical staff considers your needs and decides to which setting you will be released. If you are able to recover without a lot of extra assistance, you are returned to your home. In situations where more care is needed, a patient may be moved to a rehabilitation hospital (where intensive therapy is available) or to a skilled nursing facility (where some therapy is available).
2. How do I know if the rooms in my home will be accessible to me?
In planning for your release to your home, the home setting needs to be evaluated to determine which rooms are accessible and which are not. You may need for a therapist on staff to inspect your home for safety and suitability before you return there. For instance, the number of steps into the house is important to know and, also, if there is a second floor.
3. Will a wheelchair or a walker fit through the doors in my house?
If you are using a wheelchair, the width of the chair needs to be measured against the width of the doorways to the rooms that you will use. Each doorway needs to be measured. Even though you may have a single-story home, you may find that there are some rooms you cannot get to if the doorframes are not wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. You may find that you are able to get into the rooms you need (bathroom, kitchen or dining area, bedroom, and perhaps the living room), even if you are not be able to access the whole house.
4. What changes in my house do I need to make to use a wheelchair or a walker?
Have someone do a walk-through to see if there are any obstructions that would impede getting from room to room. Check for throw rugs or mats that would slow down a wheelchair or a walker, or that might make it a little more difficult if you are still a bit unsteady on your feet. If you need a wheelchair, make sure that at least one side of your bed has enough room between the bed and the wall so you can park the wheelchair next to the bed for easier transfers between chair and bed.
5. Do I need to make changes to my bathroom?
If the bathroom is not wheelchair accessible, you may need help from someone in order for you to walk from the doorway to the toilet, or you may need to rent a commode chair and place it in another area of the house until you are steadier on your feet. It may be that the bathroom is accessible, but you need a raised toilet seat and grab bars next to the toilet so you can get off the toilet safely. You may need a chair for inside your bathtub or shower. Find out if you will be able to reach the bathroom and kitchen sinks in the house or if you will need assistance.
6. Will I need a hospital bed for use at home?
If your bedrooms are on the second floor, you may need to use a hospital bed on the first floor until such time that your mobility improves and you can handle the stairs. The fact that you can adjust the height of the hospital bed may make it more comfortable for you to get in and out of the bed.
7. How can I use my telephone and television?
You will need to be able to reach the telephone, so you may need a longer cord and a lower table for the telephone. The television needs to be in a location where you can watch it, so it may need to be moved and you may want to find an easy to use (larger numbers and buttons) remote control.
8. What kind of activities can I continue to do?
There are other issues having to do with mobility and accessibility that will depend on your particular lifestyle, so think of what a typical week or month would be like for you. Figure out who will be able to help you get to appointments, if necessary. If you attend religious services and you need help getting there, find a friend who will pick you up and bring you back.
9. What if I need extra help with bathing, for instance?
Depending on your needs, you may have someone stay with you to provide help. A home health care aide may be available through home health services to come in and help with bathing, grooming, and dressing. Check to confirm to what extent these services are covered by your insurance. You may also receive physical, occupational and/or speech therapy through the home health agency.
10. Can I get someone to help me prepare meals?
In addition, you may need help with chores, meal preparation, and shopping. You will need to find out who can help you with these tasks. In some areas, your county may have in-home help available if you meet the income requirements. The discharge planner at your hospital will know about resources available in your local community. Also, you may be eligible for Meals-on-Wheels for a period of time: confirm how many meals per day and for how many days you can receive this service. Please remember, Meals-on-Wheels is usually an out-of-pocket charge, meaning you pay for this service without reimbursement from your insurance company.
11. My finances are a mess. What can I do?
You will need to take care of your financial issues and money management. If you are not able to handle the mail, paying bills, and banking, find someone who can help you. It may be a family member, a friend, an attorney, or other fiduciary that you choose.
12. Will I be able to keep my pets at home?
If you have pets—dogs and cats are especially good for promoting one's well-being and recovery—be sure to have details available regarding your veterinarian, boarding facility, and who will pet-sit in an emergency or as a favor. Your favorite pets by your side may be the best part of being home. Be especially careful navigating around your house if you are using a wheelchair or walker and your pets tends to get underfoot—this could cause an injury to you or to your beloved pets. Also, you need to store the pet food where you can reach it if your mobility is impaired.
Remember, planning ahead will made your recovery go more smoothly and you will experience less frustration if you have planned for your particular needs and restrictions. Your home may not be fully accessible to you right away, but with modifications and planning, you may have the comfort you need to help you feel much better.
Smalltown Duo, owned by Mary Benson and Sibyl Day, specializes in medical and legal books for consumers. They publish a popular book called "What Did the Doctor Say? A Guide for Before, During, and After Your Hospitalization." The book covers topics such as questions to ask about your diagnosis, medications, doctor visits, and avoiding common medical errors. For more information, visit their website. http://www.SmalltownDuo.com
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