It’s fair to say that hospital isn’t most people’s favourite place to be. Whether you are recovering from planned surgery, or an unexpected spell in hospital following illness or injury, the question at the front of your mind is likely to be ‘how soon can I go home?’.
Of course, getting discharged too soon – or returning home without the right support in place – comes with its own risks. No-one wants to book a return visit to the ward, if they can avoid it.
© Somerset Care Group
Thankfully, there is support available to help you get back to your home comforts sooner, and crucially, safely.
‘R and R’ is usually understood to stand for ‘Rest and Recuperation’. But these initials also refer to two of the most effective options for supporting you to get back on your feet: Respite and Reablement.
Respite refers to a short stay in a specialist nursing home, such as Cooksons Court in Yeovil, while you rebuild your health and confidence to a level where you can return home safely.
While this means you won’t be returning directly home from hospital, respite enables you to continue your recovery in a more homely, and less clinical environment, still supported by a professional nursing team who can attend to your medical needs.
The halfway house
Think of a respite break as a ‘halfway house’ between hospital and home. You continue to receive clinical support tailored to your needs, in an accessible and comfortable environment where household chores and daily tasks are taken care of for you – enabling you to fully focus on your recovery. Also, unlike hospital, there are no restrictions on visiting times at Cooksons Court, so your loved ones are welcome to visit and spend quality time with you, whenever it suits you all.
If you have been assessed by the hospital as ready to return home, but don’t have the support network in place to help you continue with your ongoing recovery, reablement care could be just what you need. Delivered by Somerset Care, a package of reablement care provides short‑term, goal‑focused support at home, to help you regain your independence and rebuild your confidence.
Working alongside therapists, health professionals and your family, the team can assist you with personal care, mobility and wellbeing support in your own home, whilst also helping with daily household tasks. This option allows you to get back to your home comforts, receiving the support you need within familiar surroundings.
Both respite care and reablement support enable you to leave hospital sooner, ensuring that when you return home, you can do so safely and equipped with the tailored support you need for your ongoing recovery.
The most effective support for your recovery will be unique to your individual circumstances and preferences.
Chat to Somerset Care’s friendly and knowledgeable care advisors on 0800 817 4925 about options which meet your requirements, or visit somersetcare.co.uk for more information.
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