Preventing Hospital Readmissions: How Home Care Can Keep Your Loved One Safe at Home
Discover how personalised home care helps prevent hospital readmissions and supports safe recovery.
Could the Right Home Care Plan Reduce Hospital Visits for Your Loved One?
Home care plays a crucial role in preventing hospitalisation and also in reducing hospital readmissions by providing the right support at home when it’s needed most. For older adults and those with ongoing health conditions, having personalised care in place helps prevent avoidable setbacks, supports recovery, and reduces the risk of returning to the hospital. Led by two GPs, Home Instead Yeovil, Sherborne & Bridport Care Professionals deliver tailored home care designed to keep individuals safe, comfortable, and well-supported in their own homes.
Home Instead Yeovil, Sherborne & Bridport provides tailored home care that supports safe recovery and long-term well-being, helping individuals manage daily tasks, medication, and health needs in the comfort of home.
Why Preventing Hospital Readmissions Matters
Frequent hospital stays often signal the need for additional support at home, often resulting from missed medications, poor nutrition, or undetected health changes. These factors not only impact well-being but also increase the likelihood of complications that could require another hospital stay.
Beyond the personal toll, frequent hospitalisations place pressure on healthcare services. Preventing unnecessary readmissions through structured home care ensures that resources remain available for those in urgent need while promoting better long-term outcomes for individuals receiving care.
The Role of Home Care in Reducing Hospital Readmissions
Professional home care offers practical and compassionate solutions to support recovery and maintain health. Home Instead Yeovil, Sherborne & Bridport provides a wide range of services to help individuals avoid hospital readmissions and regain confidence in their daily lives.
Personalised Care Plans
Every individual has unique care needs, and tailored support ensures that no aspect of their well-being is overlooked. Home care professionals develop individualised care plans based on health conditions, personal routines, and lifestyle preferences, providing proactive assistance that helps prevent complications before they arise.
Medication Management
Taking the right medication at the right time is crucial for recovery and long-term health. Care professionals support individuals by ensuring they follow prescribed treatment plans, monitoring for side effects, and coordinating with healthcare professionals when adjustments are needed.
Assistance with Daily Activities
Basic daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and mobility can become more challenging after a hospital stay. Support with these activities reduces the risk of falls, infections, and poor hygiene, all of which could lead to further health complications and hospital visits.
Fall Prevention
Falls are one of the leading causes of hospital admissions among older adults. Home care providers assess mobility risks, recommend appropriate aids, and ensure that the home environment is safe and accessible, reducing the likelihood of serious injuries.
Direct referral to Hospital@Home team: First in England
Home Instead Yeovil is proud to be the first home care provider in England to partner with the NHS on this exciting new project to reduce wait times for specialist frailty assessments. Carers can now refer clients directly to the Somerset NHS Hospital at Home (H@H) frailty team, ensuring urgent cases are seen within a week instead of the usual 8–10 weeks. By acting quickly, carers help prevent crises—and we’re already seeing the positive impact.
Read our blog to discover how it works and the benefits for clients and families.
Nutritional and Hydration Support
Good nutrition and hydration are essential to support recovery and reduce the risk of readmission.. Care professionals prepare meals, encourage fluid intake, and monitor for weight loss, ensuring that individuals receive the nutrition they need to support recovery and maintain strength.
Early Detection of Health Changes
A professional caregiver is often the first to notice subtle changes in health, whether it’s reduced mobility, a decline in appetite, or signs of confusion. Addressing these concerns early can prevent minor issues from escalating into serious health problems that require hospitalisation.
You can read more about how Home Instead Yeovil, Sherborne & Bridport use Early warning signs and Clinical Frailty Score to prevent hospital admissions: Preventing Hospitalisation | Home Instead
Emotional and Social Well-being
Recovery isn’t just physical—mental and emotional well-being play a significant role in long-term health. Regular companionship from a home care professional reduces loneliness, alleviates anxiety, and provides much-needed emotional support, helping individuals stay positive and engaged in daily life.
The Transition from Hospital to Home
The period immediately after a hospital stay is a critical time for recovery. Without the right support, individuals can struggle to follow discharge instructions, leading to setbacks that result in readmission. Home Instead Yeovil, Sherborne & Bridport provides post-hospital care that ensures a smooth transition back home, reducing the risk of complications.
Support During Discharge
Home care professionals work closely with hospitals and families to ensure individuals receive the care they need immediately after discharge. This includes help with mobility, medication adherence, and rehabilitation exercises, all of which are essential for a successful recovery.
Family Education and Guidance
Understanding how to manage a loved one’s health at home is crucial for preventing complications. Clear guidance on nutrition, medication schedules, and mobility exercises helps families feel confident in supporting their loved one’s recovery.
Coordination with Healthcare Providers
A well-rounded home care approach involves collaboration between GPs, nurses, and rehabilitation teams. By keeping healthcare professionals informed about changes in health or mobility, home care providers ensure timely interventions that can prevent hospital readmissions.
Intermediate Care: A Bridge Between Hospital and Home
Intermediate care services play an important role in preventing unnecessary hospital stays. The Home First initiative, developed by Somerset NHS, is an example of how supporting individuals in their own homes rather than in hospital can lead to better long-term health outcomes.
Key Aspects of Intermediate Care
- Rapid response teams to provide urgent care at home
- Rehabilitation support to improve mobility and independence
- Community-based healthcare to monitor ongoing conditions
Extended hospital stays may impact mobility and overall well-being. By supporting people at home, intermediate care services help individuals regain independence while reducing the risk of readmission.
Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic
The pandemic highlighted the importance of having structured home care services in place. Rapid hospital discharges reinforced the need for effective post-hospital support, allowing individuals to recover safely in their own homes while ensuring hospitals remained available for critical cases.
The discharge-to-assess model demonstrated the effectiveness of early intervention and home-based recovery, showing that with the right support, many individuals can avoid readmission and maintain their health at home.
Strengthening Home Care: Ongoing Improvements and Solutions
While home care is highly effective in preventing hospital readmissions, there are ongoing challenges that require attention:
Recruiting and Retaining Care Professionals
Maintaining a skilled workforce is essential for delivering high-quality home care. Investment in training and career development ensures that care professionals have the expertise needed to support individuals effectively.
Sustainable Funding for Home Care Services
Ensuring long-term access to home care requires sufficient funding and resources. Local authorities and healthcare services continue to work towards solutions that make home care more widely accessible to those who need it.
Improving Access to Timely Care
Coordinating services between hospitals, GPs, and home care providers ensures that individuals receive the support they need without unnecessary delays. Strengthening these connections improves health outcomes and reduces avoidable hospital visits.
Choosing the Right Home Care Provider
For those recovering from a hospital stay, selecting the right home care provider is key to long-term well-being. Home Instead Yeovil, Sherborne & Bridport offers expert home care services designed to keep individuals safe, comfortable, and independent in their own homes.
To learn more about how we can support you or your loved one, contact Home Instead Yeovil, Sherborne & Bridport today on 01935 577030.
Areas We Serve
Yeovil, Bridport, Sherborne, Crewkerne, Weston, Martock, Somerton, Langport, Eastfield, Castle Cary, Bruton, South Petherton, Beaminster, Milborne Port and surrounding areas.
DT6 3, TA18 7, TA12 6, BA22 9, TA14 6, DT6 6, TA11 7, TA11 6, BA21 3, DT9 6, DT6 5, TA10 0, BA22 8, BA7 7, DT9 5, DT6 4, DT2 0, BA21 4, TA17 8, DT8 3, BA22 7, TA10 9, TA13 5, BA10 0, BA9 8, TA15 6, DT9 3, BA20 2, BA21 5, BA20 1, TA16 5, DT9 4, TA18 8
Office Address: Somerset Yeovil Innovation Centre, Barracks Close,
Copse Road, Yeovil,
Somerset – BA22 8RN
Phone: 01935 577030