Sleeping in your own bed, enjoying home-cooking, and relaxing in familiar surroundings with family and friends are simple pleasures that mean a lot to anyone being discharged from the hospital. That’s especially true for seniors who have been living at home or in an assisted living community.

However, if certain precautions aren’t taken, those pleasures can be short-lived. Studies have shown that almost one-fifth of Medicare patients who are discharged from inpatient care must be readmitted within the first 30 days. The good news is there are clear things that can be done to address the top 10 reasons seniors are re-hospitalized and help make sure they can stay healthy and at home.

1. Medication Management – Many times, seniors are given a different dosage of medications during a hospital stay than that taken previously. Taking too much or too little once they get home can cause serious health issues. Having help reconciling prescriptions can prevent these problems.
   


2. Not Following Discharge Instructions – Whether it’s taking medications, limiting physical activity or attending therapy, some seniors are either unwilling or unaware of how important it is to do these things to fully recover.


3. Hospital-Acquired Infections – Recently hospitalized seniors with weakened immune systems are susceptible to getting surgical site infections, pneumonia, or stomach and urinary tract infections. Catching symptoms early will help make sure a senior can be treated at home and not have to return to the hospital.
   


4. Breathing Conditions – Lung problems, like upper respiratory infections, COPD and pneumonia, are the most common issues that send seniors back to the hospital. Calling the doctor if they are coughing up phlegm, running a fever or having difficulty breathing can help prevent seniors from having to be readmitted.
   


5. Heart Attacks – Being hospitalized is stressful, especially on the heart. Make sure your loved one keeps up with medication, has access to healthy meals, and is encouraged to get exercise to help keep the heart healthy and strong.
   


6. Falls – Lying in bed weakens muscles. New medications may have side effects like fatigue and dizziness. Exhaustion can throw off balance. All of these increase the likelihood of serious injuries caused by a fall that may have to be treated in the hospital.
   


7. Poor Nutrition – Choosing to eat processed food high in sugar and sodium or having trouble chewing or swallowing can lead to malnutrition that hinders healing.
   


8. Home Hazards – An unsafe neighborhood, trip-causing clutter, or not following through with therapeutic exercises can cause serious health problems for seniors.
   


9. Not Having Help at Home – Family and friends can only do so much. Not having anyone to monitor vital signs, call for help in an emergency, or even socialize can put seniors at risk for depression and being re-hospitalized.
   


10. Missing Follow-Up Appointments – Whether it’s forgetfulness or not having access to a car, seniors often don’t go to medical appointments to take care of issues that might cause them to be readmitted for an observational stay uninsured by Medicare Part A.

Being aware of these top 10 reasons seniors are re-hospitalized can help make sure your loved one can stay healthy and happy at home.

MorningStar Senior Living — Assisted Living Community

If your loved one lives far from family and friends, it could be time to move into an assisted living community near their adult children where they’ll have the companionship of fellow seniors and a compassionate service team. At MorningStar Senior Living, a 24/7 team is dedicated to offer care and hospitality services that meet each resident’s social, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs.