When to Consider Transitional Care

Are you worried about leaving the care team in your inpatient facility and handling your recovery on your own? Let’s talk about transitional care. Here’s a closer look at what it is and when it might benefit you.

Few things are more daunting than coming home after being in the hospital with a treatment plan a mile long and three follow-up appointments in as many weeks.

This is the reality for many, post-hospitalization. You get used to a dedicated staff of nurses and medical professionals caring for your every need, and then suddenly, you’re in charge.

That’s why we recommend our patients learn about transitional care. Transitional care is a specific type of health care designed to meet patients' medical, physical, and mental health needs after they leave the hospital, rehabilitation facility, skilled nursing facility, or other in-patient setting.

For 30 days, you receive attentive, compassionate care from experienced nurses dedicated to giving you everything you need to recover faster and feel better.

In this blog, our team of experts at Leading MDs highlights just a few reasons why transitional care might be right for you.

1. You have a chronic medical condition

Living with a chronic health problem takes a significant toll on your daily life. You likely see many physicians and specialists working in different specialties, which makes it hard to keep everyone on your health care team informed.

You’re also more likely to experience preventable hospitalizations and poor outcomes when your health care needs are so great. Often, failure to transition from hospital to home lands people like you with chronic health conditions right back in their doctor’s waiting room.

That’s why we recommend our patients with underlying medical conditions receive transitional care during their first month at home from the hospital. We monitor your health and send detailed reports to all your doctors and specialists so they stay on the same page.

2. Your treatment plan is complex

If you’re recovering from a serious illness or injury, chances are your treatment plan is substantial. Many of our transitional care patients are required to follow extensive therapy regimens, take a variety of prescriptions, and the like.

Transitional care helps you adhere to your treatment plan and have a better chance of recovering fully.

3. You have behavioral and/or psychological concerns

Patients with dementia, mental illness, and brain trauma often find it challenging to manage their own care and needs following hospitalization. Our transitional care experts can administer medications, change dressings, and help you attend follow-up appointments.

4. You’re getting older

Studies show that older patients who’ve been hospitalized have a readmission rate of 19%. There are a few reasons why that might be, but most point to an increased likelihood of underlying health problems and an inability to attend follow-up appointments and follow treatment plans.

Older patients who receive transitional care see a reduction in readmission rates because they get the support they need to recover fully.

5. You simply don’t want to be alone

You don’t need an entire team of nurses caring for you, but you’re not quite ready to handle things independently — that’s where transitional care comes in.

Your transitional care nurse checks in with you regularly based on your situation. During your first month at home, you receive as much or as little care as you need, allowing you to comfortably readjust to life after hospitalization.

6. Your support system needs support

Some of our patients are fortunate to have a village of friends and family who are willing and able to care for them after they get home from the hospital. But not everyone is so lucky.

If those caring for you need professional medical help or are simply unavailable to care for you, transitional care may be your best option.

7. Your health insurance covers it

You pay good money for your health insurance, so make sure you take advantage of every benefit you’re entitled to. Check with your insurance provider to see if they cover some or all of transitional care costs.

If you’d like more information about our transitional care services, don’t hesitate to call our friendly staff at any of our four locations. We proudly serve Goodyear, Tempe, Mesa, and Sun City, Arizona.