Coming Home from Hospital: Advice from Our Christchurch Care Manager

Kim Gordon, Registered Manager for Bloomfield Care in Christchurch and Bournemouth, answers the questions families most often ask about arranging home care after a hospital stay.

What happens if the hospital says Mum is ready to leave but we can't safely care for her?

We would let the family and the hospital know that the client can't come home until the right care is in place, or until the reablement team has been arranged. The client may also need equipment in place for a safe discharge.

How quickly can care at home be arranged in an emergency?

Care can start once a care plan and assessment have been completed and everything is in place.

If it's a current client who has been in hospital and doesn't have any additional needs, their care can restart from the next call. For a new client, it depends on finishing the paperwork, setting the client up on our system and making sure we have the availability to start.

What are the biggest mistakes families make when arranging care after a hospital stay?

• Not knowing whether extra support or equipment is needed, which would require an occupational therapist (OT) assessment.
• Wanting to take the client home before a package of care and a start date are in place.
• Not waiting for an assessment to be completed.
• Assuming we can just go in with no preparation beforehand.

What is reablement care, and how is it different from ordinary home care?

Reablement is short-term support, usually free for up to six weeks, arranged by the hospital or council when someone comes home from hospital. Its aim is to help the person get back the skills and confidence to manage at home. The reablement carers are temporary, just for that period, which gives families and social services time to arrange an ongoing care agency if one is needed.

Can carers help someone regain confidence and independence after a hospital stay?

Yes, they can. Clients often come home with exercises from the physiotherapists to help them regain their mobility. People can feel low after a hospital stay, and carers who are upbeat and ready to listen can help them rebuild their confidence. Choice and respect matter too.

It's also about carers working together, so everyone is on the same page for the client and we work as a team to build them back up.

If someone you care about is coming home from hospital in Christchurch, Bournemouth or the surrounding area, our local team is happy to talk it through with you.