Advances in Mental Health

Recently, some hospitals have given certain patients the option to receive their hospital care at home instead of being admitted to stay in a hospital. Hospital care at home involves patients being seen daily by a physician and a nurse, just like they normally would in a hospital, but these visits would be done at the patients' home instead. These are some ways that hospital care at home is especially beneficial for elderly patients.

A More Comfortable Environment

One of the top benefits of hospital care at home is that being at home is usually much more comfortable for elderly patients. As people age, it is not uncommon for them to have aches and pains that may require them to have special beds or soft recliners to relax in. While most hospitals do have adjustable hospital beds, these may not be as comfortable as what an older patient is accustomed to at home. Elderly patients may also not feel as safe or at ease in a hospital room than they do at home. In some cases, the extra stress of not being at home can cause a noticeable increase in anxiety and blood pressure levels. These problems can often be avoided if the patient can receive the same quality hospital care at home.

Less Exposure to Contagious Illnesses

Hospital care at home also helps protect elderly patients from contracting certain illnesses that may already be present among other patients in hospitals. For instance, if a patient does not already have a certain health condition, such as Covid19 or the flu, there is a chance they may contract it if they are admitted into the hospital on a floor where several other patients are being treated for it. While extensive measures may be taken to prevent the spread of certain illnesses in a hospital, some are very contagious and cannot always be avoided. Therefore, it can actually be safer for patients to receive their hospital care at home.

A Less Expensive Alternative

Another benefit of hospital care at home for the elderly is that it can be considerably less expensive than a hospital stay. Receiving care at home will include the cost of the services provided, the medications that are prescribed, and the use of any equipment that is needed. However, receiving care in a hospital will also include everything previously mentioned plus the added cost of the hospital room, meals that are provided, and the use of television, telephone or wifi services during the stay. There may also be a separate charge for housekeeping and laundry services provided as well. 

Determining if an elderly patient is eligible for hospital care at home depends on several different factors. These include what the health diagnosis is, the severity of the condition, if the home is in working order to provide a safe environment, and if the patient's insurance plan covers hospital care at home.