by Amy Goyer | \u00a0AARP<\/a> | October 27, 2021| Hospital to Rehab | Health Insurance<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n I’ve recently been helping a friend who has been\u00a0managing her mother\u2019s transitions from a hospital to a rehab facility, and then again to another rehab facility that wants to send her home before she, or her family, is ready. It reminded me of how tough\u00a0family caregiving\u00a0transitions can be. As a longtime family caregiver of many including both parents and my sister, I\u2019ve been through many of them \u2014 some smooth, others unexpected and rocky. Caregivers play a crucial role in easing transitions, helping to ensure that loved ones adjust and get appropriate care along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moving our loved ones from one care setting to another is stressful for everyone involved. It\u2019s invariably complicated and confusing, and I\u2019ve often experienced poor communication among hospitals, facilities and family caregivers. Family caregivers play a key role in preventing hospital readmissions. We are the one consistent part of our loved ones\u2019 care teams. Yet, all too often, family caregivers feel left out of the transition process. That\u2019s why it\u2019s up to us to be proactive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Contact discharge planner\/social worker<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Discuss options\/plans with patient<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Talk with health care practitioners and therapists<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Arrange for next step in care:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Get printed medication list, prescriptions and discharge instructions<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Get hands-on demonstrations\/instruction on medical\/nursing tasks; photos\/videos<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Get appropriate clothing and personal supplies<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Arrange for transportation upon discharge<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Ensure transfer of medical records between facilities\/providers prior to, at time of and following the transition<\/p>\n\n\n\n When faced with a care transition, planning is key, even if you have only a few days. Here are some ways you can help your loved ones with care transitions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a good idea to be aware of the hospitals and rehabilitation, skilled nursing and assisted living facilities in your parent or other loved one\u2019s immediate area. Talk with your parents about their preferences, goals and wishes about where, if needed, they would want to be treated, recover and live. Review the ratings of Medicare-certified facilities at the Medicare Compare<\/a> site, and talk with family members of people who have been there. A little bit of basic research ahead of time will lower your stress levels in a crisis when you may need to make decisions quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t wait until discharge is imminent. Ask to speak with a hospital discharge planner or social worker for help planning your loved one’s next steps, care, transportation to their next place, insurance coverage and payment plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCARE TRANSITION CHECKLIST <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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1. Do your homework ahead of time.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Start planning for discharge at the beginning of a stay at a hospital or rehabilitation facility.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n