Aging Gracefully and with Great Health

3 Tips To Ease The Transition From Hospital To Home

4 December 2016 by For Content

When in the midst of an extended hospital stay for a serious injury, few people take the time to think about how their life will look once they are discharged from the hospital. Making the transition from the hospital (where you have access to help at all times) to your home can be challenging.

Here are three tips that you can use to help ease your transition after being discharged from the hospital in the future.

1. Arrange for modifications to be complete before you make the transition.

If the injury or condition which required you to stay in the hospital for an extended period of time resulted in permanent damage, you may find that you are unable to navigate your home in the same ways that you used to.

Modifications like wheelchair ramps, stair lifts, and the replacement of bathtubs with showers can make it easier for you to stay mobile in your home. Having these modifications completed prior to your discharge from the hospital will make it easier to make the transition back into your home.

2. Identify community programs that can offer valuable services.

Losing access to full-time help when you get discharged from the hospital can be overwhelming. If you feel that you will not be able to complete daily tasks on your own once you are living back at home, it can be beneficial to identify community programs that can provide you with the assistance you need.

There are many organizations that will deliver your meals, provide transportation, or complete housework to help you transition into your home after a lengthy hospital stay. Taking advantage of these community resources and  transitional care management programs will help you retain your sense of independence while still allowing you time to adjust to your new living situation.

3. Keep your expectations under control.

Maintaining a positive outlook on your situation can be one of the easiest ways to facilitate your transition from the hospital to your home. You should ensure that you are actively striving to keep your expectations under control so that you don't experience disappointment or fall into a depressed state.

Don't expect to engage with your home environment in the same ways that you did prior to your hospital stay, but learn to appreciate your new challenges and abilities instead.

When you take the time to actively try and ease your transition from the hospital to your home after a lengthy medical stay, you make it easier to maintain and enjoy your independence in the future.

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