A New Gold Standard - Medical Care Meets Home Health Care Support for the Elderly

The COVID-19 Pandemic has shone a spot light on the need for hospitals and domiciliary care services to work closely together, particularly in support of the elderly - 2 minute read

More than ever, the elderly with chronic medical conditions and/or age related reduced mobility, are reluctant to visit hospitals. Prior to the Pandemic they faced struggles to get to their medical appointments, without the help of loved ones or a trusted home care provider, such as Bluebird Care Market Harborough and Oadby. The Pandemic has widened the physical gap between home and the hospital/GP. With vulnerable patients classed as ‘Shielding’ as they are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19, Government advice remains to attend hospitals if necessary. Consultant,  Shelagh O’Riordan (Clinical Director Frailty in East Kent and Chair of the Community Geriatrics Special Interest Group) writes,

“We completely changed what we had previously done, to deliver a ‘hospital at home’ service providing consultant-level support and urgent assessments 7 days a week, which enabled people to be treated in the safety of their own home”.  The British Geriatric Society blog.

With being treated at home, comes the need for homecare, which perfectly compliments, the medical support provided by Hospitals and GP’s.  Working together to reduce the chances of hospital admissions and provide a safer discharge back home,  has been a huge success. The result; improved quality of life through better health at home, whilst individual's maintain their independence. 

Sources:-

https://www.bgs.org.uk/blog/there%E2%80%99s-no-need-for-a-battle-of-ideas-between-hospital-and-community-geriatrics-we-need-more-of

https://www.bgs.org.uk/blog/there%E2%80%99s-no-need-for-a-battle-of-ideas-between-hospital-and-community-geriatrics-we-need-more-0

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19  as at 22.6.20

https://www.nice.org.uk/about/nice-communities/social-care/quick-guides/moving-between-hospital-and-home-including-care-homes

To have a chat about this News article or your care needs, please contact Bluebird Care Market Harborough and Oadby on 0116 271 8222 or email marketharboroughandoadby@bluebirdcare.co.uk. Our friendly office team are on hand to help.