How Families Can Cope with the Stress of Post-Hospital Recovery

Spending time in hospital can be hugely taxing, both physically and emotionally. And yet, in many cases, leaving the building doesn't spell the end of the ordeal. If you've undergone surgery, then you'll also need to undergo a period of recovery. Or, it might be that you have complex, longstanding care needs.

Whatever the specifics of your situation, it's worth considering how to arrange your post-hospital care, such that it minimises stress for both you and your family.

Planning the Discharge Together

After you've been discharged from the hospital, the chances are good that you'll be reliant on other people. In most cases, this means the immediate family who'll be helping you with care, transport, and medication.

For these people to support you effectively, you'll need to get across your needs clearly. The earlier that they're involved in planning your discharge, the easier they'll find it to support you.

Using Reablement and Intermediate Care Effectively

There are two kinds of care that can be enormously helpful shortly after a hospital discharge. Intermediate care is a short-term form of care aimed at bolstering independence, and teaching you the skills you need to prosper on your own. Reablement is a narrower category, which falls within intermediate care. It involves social care staff guiding you through the everyday tasks you need to be able to perform, like washing, cooking, and dressing.

For eligible patients, these services are available for up to six weeks after the hospital discharge, for free.

Empowering Families with New Patient-Safety Measures

Family members have the power to intervene when they feel that the health of a patient is rapidly deteriorating, thanks to Martha's Rule. This means that a second opinion can be promptly sought. In many cases, this might make a crucial difference to the prospects of the patient in question.

When the patient has suffered harm as a result of incompetence or malice on the part of a medical professional or organisation, medical negligence claims might be appropriate. This will allow you to be compensated for the harm suffered, and to claim back for things like loss of income, and additional care-related expenses.

Looking After Yourself as a Carer

Working as a carer can be exhausting, especially if you're doing it around the clock. It's important to remember to take regular breaks, to sleep, and to occasionally leave the person you're caring for so that you can socialise and let off steam. Being able to rotate with another family member, or to bring in outside help, can be critical.

Building Crisis Readiness and Support Plans

Sometimes, the health of a patient who has been recently discharged can rapidly deteriorate. In these situations, it's important to take prompt, decisive action. Form a plan ahead of time, so that you can put it into motion as soon as a problem arises.