A hospital visit can be stressful. It’s important to plan when you or someone you love has to go to the hospital. Whether it’s an emergency or one planned ahead of time, preparing your loved one with dementia and other conditions can make the experience as smooth as possible. Fortunately, there are ways you can prepare for this situation and help your loved one remain calm during their stay at the hospital. Here’s how memory care in Morganton, NC can help residents prepare for a hospital visit:
Ensuring They Are Not Anxious or Stressed
It is important that residents are not anxious or stressed as they prepare for a hospital visit. The nurse can help you calm down by taking your pulse, checking your temperature, and listening to your breathing. An experience in a memory care community can help in this regard.
A memory care community can ensure that your loved ones are safe while away from home with the help of a team that understands their needs and wants. A memory care expert will be able to make sure that everything goes smoothly, so there is little chance of your loved one being agitated or overwhelmed during their stay at the hospital.
Making Travel Arrangements
When you visit the hospital, it can be challenging to figure out how best to get there, especially if your loved one is in a wheelchair or otherwise unable to walk. Fortunately, many memory care communities offer shuttle services for patients who need assistance getting around.
If your loved one has Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia that severely affects their mobility and ability to communicate with others, this transportation service is critical. If you’re planning for your parents’ care in advance, your community should be able to make all the necessary arrangements for them so that they don’t have to worry about anything but getting better.
Establishing A Routine
Establishing a routine can be difficult for many people, but it’s imperative in the case of hospital visits. Knowing what to expect and when will help your loved one feel prepared and less anxious about their upcoming experience.
In addition to helping residents with cognitive decline get ready for the day ahead, establishing a routine can also help them feel more at ease with any necessary medical procedures that may need to be performed during their hospital stay.
Packing Their Belongings
In the event that a resident is admitted to the hospital, there are ways that a long-term care community can help them prepare for this transition. One of these is by packing their belongings in advance. This allows your loved one to be prepared for and aware of what will happen if they need to go into the hospital, which often results in less stress for visitors and patients. While packing, it’s also important to keep track of all medications, medical records and insurance information so that everything can be accessed quickly.
Conclusion
Remember, it’s okay if you’re not ready to go to the hospital. But caregivers can do some important things to ensure their loved one is safe and comfortable during this transition.
