It’s not uncommon for seniors to occasionally end up in the hospital due to illness, a fall or another type of injury. While the Ontario healthcare system is staffed by many wonderful doctors and nurses, patients who have been admitted to hospital typically do not receive consistent one-on-one care. While this is manageable for some individuals, seniors may struggle in hospital if they have limited mobility or live with dementia. This is particularly true right now as hospitals are currently understaffed and overwhelmed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
And, while hospitals are a place for healing, a lengthy stay may present subsequent challenges for seniors. Research indicates that the longer a senior is admitted to hospital, the harder it can be for them to recover. This is because seniors quickly lose muscle mass when confined to bed. They may also pick up new viruses or infections, struggle to eat unfamiliar foods or experience ‘hospital delirium’ due to disorientation and interrupted sleep.¹ As a result of these and other factors, about one third of patients over age 70 and more than half of patients over age 85 leave the hospital more disabled than they arrived.²
Get home sooner
Knowing how mentally and physically taxing a lengthy hospital stay may be, it’s understandable that families want to get their loved ones home as soon as possible. In many cases, a senior may be permitted to leave the hospital sooner if adequate daily care is in place. Essentially, a senior who lives alone or in a long-term care facility may not be released until they can function relatively independently. However, a senior who lives with family or has consistent, one-on-one care may be released earlier because their recovery can continue outside of the hospital.
Rest—and regaining strength
Living Assistance Services in Toronto has dedicated caregivers available to support seniors and other individuals recovering from injury, illness or hospitalization. Our skilled, compassionate Personal Support Workers (PSWs) can be there to assist with mobility, bathing and dressing, meal preparation and other activities of daily life. They allow seniors to rest and recover while also helping them build back their strength. And, they provide a much-needed level of safety and peace of mind as seniors return home.
Convalescent care may involve support throughout the day, in the evenings and/or overnight. All care plans are personalized to reflect the client’s individual needs, and personal care services are delivered with kindness, compassion and respect.
We can help your loved one get home sooner
If your elderly family member is currently in hospital or has surgery planned in the near future, please reach out to Living Assistance Services to learn more about convalescent care options. We can provide a personalized consultation and quote for services anywhere in the Greater Toronto Area. Thanks for reading, and please visit our about us and services page to learn more about high quality homecare services.
¹ https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/new-research-suggests-that-hospital-delirium-can-be-more-than/
² https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/elderly-patients-hospital-stays-often-worsen-disabilities