Self Care and Soaring Readmission Rates

The Centers for  Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) and private health insurance payers are closely analyzing hospital readmission rates.  Hospital's have initiated varied ancillary services to reduce the hospital readmission rates.  Re-hospitalizations are no longer an accepted part of the delivery of health care. 

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model data suggests the perception of self care may be a nonphysical contributor to the elevation in readmission rates.  Many Wisconsin seniors seem to value the notion however inaccurate that they take care of themselves.  This can in part be attributed to the time of up bringing and the rural landscape of residence.  Wisconsin as a State has traditionally worshipped through images and printed word the idea of self reliance.

Despite living within an obvious societal structure of interdependence many seniors can still believe they are independent and on their own.   The difficulty related to this mythical perception is most evident in the  hospital discharge process.  These patients are highly motivated to leave the hospital setting and get back to their own home. 

Inpatient care coordinators will often look back in their discharge notes and see that the senior stated having lots of family and friends that help them daily.  Only to later discover the senior has no help at home and very infrequent visits from neighbors.

Medical staff reading over past notes that indicate the senior verbalized and gestured an understanding of how to perform the daily tasks required to maintain a readmission free recovery. 
 Only to discover the senior was completely unable to comprehend the evolved inpatient language being employed to communicate the post discharge instructions.

The more involved hospital admissions that result in a new diagnosis and medication changes can lead the senior to over compensate their own ability as a means to cope with the sensory input shouting you need a lot more help.

Once home, rather than bother that busy primary doctor down at the medical clinic the senior will go in the emergency room cause the senior can really just take care of this themselves.   The discharge planner will say the senior is being dishonest about their ability.   Given the depth of the seniors misperceptions one would not be surprised to see them pass eloquently on a law enforcement lie detector exam.  Everything we believe does not always end up being true.

You are cordially invited to download your free PATH ALONG app today

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 Home Care Path  www.homecarepath.com and the Wisconsin PATH ALONG model deliver an advanced supportive care service.  Helping seniors in the home, with clinic visits, at the hospital, nursing home and assisted living facility.  Helping seniors downsize with a move in to an adult child's home. 2013 rates are 20.00 per hour.  Simply call 608-432-4286 to schedule an interview.  We can be there when you are working.  We accept long term care insurance.  Services can be tax deductible.  Help with resources and the transition from private payment to public funded programming.  Valuing home and human life.