A preventable hospitalization is one where steps could have been taken to monitor and manage symptoms, prevent an accident, or correctly follow a physician’s orders and thus avoid the need for a trip to the hospital.

A recent survey conducted by Home Instead, Inc., franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care® network, revealed that almost half of all hospitalizations could be prevented, according to nurses who specialize in senior care. The nurses surveyed also identified the top risks of hospitalization for the elderly and why prevention is so important. Here are three good reasons to help seniors avoid preventable hospitalizations.

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And yet, research reveals that many of these hospitalizations could be prevented, according to a survey of 400 North American nurses who specialize in senior care and conducted by Home Instead, Inc., franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care® network. In fact, this new research showed that nearly half (48.5%) of these hospitalizations could be avoided if the proper preventative steps are taken.

In fact, these five preventative actions can help reduce the potential risk that an older adult will end up in the hospital:

1. Follow doctor’s orders

2. Don’t ignore symptoms

3. Reduce risks of falls and accidents

4. Stay active physically and mentally

5. Maintain a healthy diet

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Here are five ways you can support them in this process.

Provide a Senior Safety Checklist. Remind family members of tips for general safety, such as ensuring the patient has a cane, walker or other proper support if she has difficulty walking; removing throw rugs or other potential tripping hazards; and installing grab bars and no-slip strips where needed. Senior Safety Checklist for added peace of mind.

Connect Seniors with Home Helper Services.  Outlets for Social Engagement. Since social seniors generally have a healthier and more optimistic outlook on life, ask your patients about their friends and encourage the patient’s family members to do the same. If a patient doesn’t have a strong social network, help the family connect her with enjoyable community activities or companionship services.

Connect Seniors with Home Helper Services. Trouble keeping up with housework is common as seniors experience a decline in health. If the family notices the house looking more unkempt than usual during a holiday visit, connect them with senior care services that include light housekeeping.

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Statistics show that 34 percent of adults surveyed are conversation avoiders. ² That is, they haven’t talked about any important end-of-life issues with their parents or children, or they have talked about just one issue. 

To help, the local Home Instead Senior Care office is sponsoring the “40-70 Rule^®” program, which includes an Action Plan for Successful Aging^SM and other resources to help ease these conversations between adult children and their parents. 

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Most family caregivers will recognize that journal excerpt as if it’s their own writing. The selection from Cat Koehler’s blog describes the exhaustion, anger and nervousness caregivers can be overwhelmed with when helping a loved one navigate through illness. 

There are ways your patients’ families can find relief and time to care for themselves when caring for a loved one with cancer: 

1. Invite others in.
As the primary caregiver, no one knows their loved one’s situation as intimately as they do. They may find it hard to break away or trust others to take their place, even in the simplest of tasks, but this is exactly why they should. Inviting a friend or family member to pitch in can be a breath of fresh air for all involved, and it gives them a much-needed break.

2. Delegate transportation.
Suggest allowing a friend or family member to serve as taxi on appointment days. Between treatments, doctor visits and follow-ups, a cancer patient’s calendar can be grueling to maintain alongside caregiver’s other day-to-day responsibilities. Delegating their loved one’s transportation to and from appointments to a trusted third party may bring some relief to their strained schedule. If family and friends are not available, consider helping contact their local Home Instead Senior Care franchise office to inquire about transportation services as a convenient alternative.

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These preventable home hazards, such as throw rugs or loose railings, can be particularly harmful, leading to falls and injuries that can impact seniors’ ability to live independently. However, the majority of seniors (85 percent) haven’t taken any steps to prepare their homes for their changing needs as they grow older.  

With hospital readmissions a constant concern for healthcare professionals, it’s important to help families prepare for their senior loved ones to return home after an extended hospital or skilled rehabilitation stay.

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