Getting better at home doesn’t mean giving up hospital-quality care. There’s been a significant shift in home healthcare over the past few years, and now it’s easier than ever to get top-notch medical treatment from the comfort of your own home. Advances in medical equipment, telehealth technologies, and professional home healthcare services mean that patients don’t have to go into a medical facility to receive excellent medical care.
Whether you’re recovering from surgery, managing a chronic disease or caring for a loved one, there are numerous home healthcare alternatives available that will allow you to maintain the comfort of your own home while still receiving the best quality of care from trained professionals.
How More Patients Are Opting Out Of Hospitals
A hospital stay can be stressful. It can be expensive. And it can put patients at risk of acquiring hospital-borne infections. As soon as patients are stabilized and do not require intensive medical intervention, continuing recovery at home generally has some benefits.
There are some of the greatest benefits of continuing recovery at home:
- Greater comfort and relaxation in a familiar setting.
- Improved mental health due to reduced stress.
- More opportunity for socialization with family and caregivers.
- Better quality sleep (because you can create your own bedtime routine).
- Lower healthcare bills.
- Less likelihood of acquiring another infection in a hospital setting.
- Healthcare providers are increasingly recommending recovery at home wherever medically feasible. Doing so promotes both physical and emotional healing.
You Don’t Have To Be At A Hospital To Get High-Quality Medical Equipment
Many people believe that to receive high-quality medical care, they must be at a hospital. However, this is no longer true.
Nowadays, there is a wide array of highly advanced medical equipment that can be sent directly to a patient’s home. Some examples include:
Adjustable Hospital Beds
These types of electric hospital beds are more than just comfortable places to lie down. They enable patients to:
- Safely roll out of bed.
- Improve blood flow through the legs.
- Reduce pressure sores.
- Make eating and breathing easier.
- Provide caregivers with assistance during the process of moving a patient around the house.
The ability to position the bed in various ways greatly enhances the comfort of patients who suffer from chronic pain; those with limited mobility; and those suffering from respiratory issues.
Mobility Equipment
Safety is paramount during the recovery process. Home healthcare equipment suppliers commonly supply the following types of equipment:
- Walkers
- Wheelchairs
- Rollators
- Patient lifts
- Transfer chairs
All of which help minimize the risk of a patient falling while regaining his/her independence.
Respiratory Support
Patients with lung-related conditions can continue to receive top-notch respiratory care at home by utilizing:
- Oxygen concentrators
- CPAP/BiPAP machines
- Nebulizers
- Portable oxygen systems
These tools enable patients to breathe easily without having to stay in a hospital.
Pressure Relief Mattresses
Individuals who spend extended amounts of time lying in bed are at risk for developing pressure ulcers. These mattresses:
- Redistribute body weight.
- Enhance circulation.
- Decrease pressure points.
- Promote better sleep quality.
These mattress characteristics are particularly beneficial for extended recovery periods.
Skilled Care Does Not End When You Leave The Hospital
Home healthcare is not merely delivering equipment to a patient’s residence. Skilled care involves working closely with the patient’s physician to develop a comprehensive plan of care for each individual. Many patients see qualified healthcare professionals visit them in their homes on a regular basis to:
- Monitor progress toward recovery.
- Administer medication.
- Help with rehabilitative activities.
- Ensure proper use of all medical equipment provided.
Working closely with patients and their physicians, skilled healthcare professionals work together to ensure that patients safely recover at home and avoid unnecessary hospitalizations.
Keeping Patients Connected Through Technology
Thanks to technological advancements in healthcare, patients who choose to recover at home can enjoy enhanced safety and connectivity.
Remote monitoring systems allow healthcare professionals to continually watch over critical aspects of a patient’s health such as:
- Blood pressure
- Heart rate
- Pulse oximetry readings (indicating how well the heart is pumping oxygenated blood)
- Blood sugar levels (if applicable)
- Body temperature
Some systems will alert healthcare teams immediately if any vital signs begin to drift out-of-range, thereby minimizing potential complications.
Video conferencing enables patients to speak with their doctors remotely, eliminating the need for travel.
Combining Physical Healing With Emotional Well-Being
Research shows that emotional well-being significantly contributes to physical healing.
In addition to physical therapy and prescribed treatments, home healthcare fosters an emotionally positive environment by offering:
- Reduced stress levels.
- Increased interaction with family and friends.
- Easier access to healthy food choices.
- Better quality sleep.
- Greater autonomy during the recovery process.
Each of these factors contribute to promoting recovery and encouraging patients to engage fully with their rehabilitation plans.
Financial Savings Without Compromise On Quality
An extended hospital stay can rapidly escalate medical costs.
Home healthcare often minimizes the cost associated with medical care by:
- Minimizing length of hospital admission.
- Eliminating unnecessary overnight stays.
- Allowing medical equipment rental rather than purchase.
- Minimizing the expense associated with transportation.
- Preventing avoidable hospital readmission.
Medical bed rental services in GTA eliminate large initial investments required for purchases.
Support For Family Caregivers
Caregivers for loved ones undergoing recovery at home also face unique challenges.
However, professional medical equipment makes caregiving simpler by:
- Reducing caregiver fatigue associated with manual lifting/moving/patient transfers etc…
- Increasing patient safety through improved mobility/transfer capabilities.
- Simplifying day-to-day caregiving activities through increased accessibility/ease-of-use.
In addition, many rental providers also offer complimentary setup/training and continued technical support to alleviate anxiety for caregivers regarding correct operation/use of rental equipment.
Equipment Rentals Ideal For Many Situations
Home-based medical equipment rentals are suited for many patients, including:
- Post-operative surgical recovery.
- Orthopedic injuries/fractures/breaks.
- Stroke rehabilitation/recovery.
- Chronic illness management.
- Elderly home care.
- Palliative/hospice support.
- Temporary loss of mobility due to other reasons (injury/surgery).
Regardless of whether recovery takes weeks or months, rental equipment options provide patients with the necessary flexibility.
Creating A Safe & Effective Recovery Space At Home
Preparing your home prior to initiating the recovery process can enhance both safety and comfort.
Here are some simple tips to help prepare your space:
- Remove all loose floor coverings/rugs and hazardous walking surfaces.
- Light hallways thoroughly to prevent tripping/stumbling.
- Install grab bars throughout your bathroom(s) for added support.
- Store frequently accessed items close-at-hand.
- Arrange furniture/furnishings to permit adequate room for mobility equipment (e.g., wheelchairs/walkers/etc…)
- Follow manufacturer/delivery company instructions for proper use of all medical equipment supplied.
By taking these simple precautions, you can decrease the risk of accidents occurring during your recovery and promote confidence throughout your entire recovery process.
Summary
Recovering at home does not have to equate with substandard care when compared to that received at hospitals. Today’s advancements in home healthcare—combined with medical equipment rentals — afford patients access to top quality care while maintaining the comfort and security found in their own homes.
Through adjustable hospital beds, mobility aids; respiratory equipment, pressure relief mattresses, professional in-home care services, remote monitoring technology, video consultations and many more innovations, today’s healthcare solutions provide a safe, comfortable and worry-free environment for millions of patients across America.
And, while we cannot always guarantee success in our recovery endeavors — we can certainly strive to create an environment conducive to healing, growth and development at home. For many patients and families, home-based recovery represents an optimal blend of clinical excellence, personal freedom and emotional well-being – demonstrating that recuperation at home can be just as productive as recuperation in the hospital.