Hospital Room to Bedroom: How to Help the Elderly Have a Smooth Transition
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When you are moving a loved one from a hospital room to a bedroom, there is a lot to keep in mind. Most people who were in a hospital setting are going to have some sort of adjustment when they get home. If you are about to move an elderly friend or relative from the hospital room to a bedroom, here is how to have a smooth transition.
Making the Bedroom Comfortable
Moving to a bedroom that an elderly person will be spending a lot of time in comes down to comfort. You want the bedroom to be so comfortable, they hardly realize they are in there. In the grand scheme of things, there are small things you can do to make a bedroom more comfortable.
Add a television – Spending a lot of time in a room can make one want to watch a lot of television. Adding a TV to a bedroom can help keep the boredom away, especially for an elderly person. Having something of value to watch is important.
Bed tray – If the elderly person that you’re prepping the room for is bedridden or just having a bad day, they are going to need a bed tray. Bed trays come in handy for eating and having something to rest items on, until they’re needed again.
Bed rest lounger – Being on bed rest is one thing, but lying in bed all day is another. A bed rest lounger can help anyone feel more comfortable while sitting down in bed.
Safety Is Always First
I can tell you that safety is always important when it comes to the elderly. Moving from a hospital with lots of safety features to a bedroom with no safety features can be overwhelming. There are some items you may want to consider for helping go from hospital room to bedroom.
Bed assist bar – Being able to get up when you want is vital. A bed assist bar can help with this. It also gives the elderly person something to hold onto when trying to stand up or when standing by the bed.
Portable urinal – As we age we tend to go to the bathroom more often. Our bodies tell us we need to go but it often can be hard to get there in a rush. Having a portable potty to use is a must. Being able to get to the potty quickly is something most elderly people will need.
Wheelchair – Just because you are old doesn’t mean you need to stay in bed the whole time. A wheelchair is great for having on hand and for helping the elderly get to where they need to go.
Supplies For The Room
Think about what you would need if you were going from a hospital with every supply under the sun to a bedroom. Stocking up on the right supplies is everything. A few sample supplies that an elderly person may need in their bedroom includes adult adjustable briefs, a water cup, a first aid kit, and disposable gloves. The healthcare facility that they were previously in will help give you an idea of what you will need to have on hand at home to promote recovery.
As far as adult adjustable briefs go, my grandfather uses Member’s Mark Total Protection from Sam's Club. They are now better than ever now that they have a brand new look and enhanced comfort features. Its breathable material keeps the skin cool and dry while still staying super absorbent.
Plus they are adjustable so they always fit him perfectly no matter what he is going through. Recently, he gained a lot of water weight and then lost that and then some, but it wasn't an issue with these amazing briefs. It's a great product at a great value!
We love that Member’s Mark Total Protection is there for him through good times and bad. They give him confidence and the freedom to recover at his pace. I love that they make things easier on everyone including the caregiver. Conquer Inco!
Promoting Recovery
Speaking of promoting recovery, resting is super important, but there are other things an elderly person must do to get better. Getting sunshine is important! Take them outside, in their wheelchair or with their walker, and go for a walk. Buy some exercise equipment that they liked during physical therapy. Anything to that will help build their muscles back and keep them going. Talk to them and encourage them to stay as active mentally as possible. Of course, proper medications are important too.
Helping the elderly person in your life have a smooth transition is easier than you thought. Don't forget to get all your caregiving needs at your local Sam's Club and reap the benefits of being a member. And after your loved one tries Member's Mark Total Protectiongo to Samsclub.com and leave a review! Every needs to know just how amazing they are!!
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
I think one of the most important items we got when my grandmother came home from thie hospital after a bypass was a really long grab bar for the bathroom.
Great post with lots of resourceful info about transitioning a loved one from the hospital. I hope i won’t need this, but it is good to read it in case I do.
I am not looking forward to doing this with my parents. Makes sad thinking of them being in a home full time but your tips for making them more comfortable are so helpful!
This post is going to be such a wonderful resource for anyone helping an elderly friend or family member transition out of the hospital. Definitely agree that stocking up on supplies will be a HUGE help.
I love this! It is so important that they feel comfortable and at ease, I definitely think it promotes recovery. But of course they need to have the practicals too
It can definitely be tough. It’s not easy to go from your parent taking care of you to changing roles. However, if done correctly and carefully, the transition can be seamless.
I’m with you on that one! However, a lot of times, if done correctly, they feel much more at ease when they’re not alone so the overall change isn’t as harsh.
This is such a wonderful post! I am a caregiver and I see it over and over where family just doesn’t know where to begin because it is a huge adjustment. They don’t think if these things because they are overwhelmed with a hospital visit. Having this list is very good if there is an elderly who needs more in-home care.
I’m glad to hear from someone in the practice! I have to admit, it can be overwhelming but if you just take a breath and think about what you yourself would want, instincts kick in.
So many great tips! My grandmother spent a lot of time going from the hospital to a rehab center and it was so important to make her feel at home at every place!
Oh yes, no matter the switch, we should always work to make them as comfortable as possible. I have to admit, that’s not as easy when it’s outside the home.
This is a great idea to help elders transition. It would be nice to make everything as comfortable as possible for them since they’re already having a difficult time as it is!
I had to move my mom from a hospital bed to an assisted living facility. I made sure there were lots of her things, wall decor, a few pieces of furniture, to make her feel at home as much as possible.
These are some great tips! Luckily, I haven’t had to help anyone make a transition like this, but it’s nice to know how to be prepared if/when it happens.
thank you for sharing something we often don’t talk about. it makes me so sad to think of this, my grandpa is 86 and I often feel bad because I know he is getting to this point in life and we all need to start thinking about all of this.
Thank heavens this is not something I have had to experience yet, since my parents and in laws are still in good health. However, you never know when that can change and these are such great tips. Thanks for sharing.
I have never had an elder person living with me. But I do know it’s going to happen in the future. I never would have thought of half of these things. Besides a TV I would be very unprepared. It’s good that we can be there for those that need it and making it easier is always a good thing.
I figure, they were there for us, there comes a time when we need to be there for them. Making them as comfortable and welcome as possible only makes life easier for them and us.
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I think one of the most important items we got when my grandmother came home from thie hospital after a bypass was a really long grab bar for the bathroom.
Grab bars are very important for the elderly. I don’t think my grandfather could manage with out them.
Great post with lots of resourceful info about transitioning a loved one from the hospital. I hope i won’t need this, but it is good to read it in case I do.
I hope you don’t need it either! However, we never know what life can throw at us so at least it’s nice to be prepared.
I am not looking forward to doing this with my parents. Makes sad thinking of them being in a home full time but your tips for making them more comfortable are so helpful!
It’s never fun watching a parent go through something like this. However, I’m glad I can at least be there and you will be too if the time comes.
These are great tips for those who might need them for parents or grandparents. I wouldn’t know what to do so its definitely good to know.
It can feel a little overwhelming at first. However, your instincts will kick in if the time comes.
This post is going to be such a wonderful resource for anyone helping an elderly friend or family member transition out of the hospital. Definitely agree that stocking up on supplies will be a HUGE help.
Oh yes! Allowing them to not worry about running out of something removes more stress than imagined.
You have included so many important points to remember when moving someone home from the hospital. Safety is so important. Thanks for the list!
Yes, safety is super important. We don’t want them going back!
I love this! It is so important that they feel comfortable and at ease, I definitely think it promotes recovery. But of course they need to have the practicals too
The biggest focus on my mind was being comfortable and safe. Those by themselves account for so much.
The biggest focus on my mind was being comfortable and safe. Those by themselves account for so much.
It can definitely be tough. It’s not easy to go from your parent taking care of you to changing roles. However, if done correctly and carefully, the transition can be seamless.
Oh I can’t even imagine! It would be such a huge transition. I know anyone prefers the comfort of their own home!
I’m with you on that one! However, a lot of times, if done correctly, they feel much more at ease when they’re not alone so the overall change isn’t as harsh.
This is a great post! I’m going to need this in a few years for my in-laws.
I’m sorry to hear that, Heather! However, I’m glad I could help with the life change!
This is such a wonderful post! I am a caregiver and I see it over and over where family just doesn’t know where to begin because it is a huge adjustment. They don’t think if these things because they are overwhelmed with a hospital visit. Having this list is very good if there is an elderly who needs more in-home care.
Thanks for this!
I’m glad to hear from someone in the practice! I have to admit, it can be overwhelming but if you just take a breath and think about what you yourself would want, instincts kick in.
I’m so glad you shared all of this. It’s such a new transition for so many people and it can be scary not knowing if you’re doing it all right.
I couldn’t agree more. It can be very scary. However, the work is worth it because it becomes very rewarding.
This is such great information to know. I’d have to show this article to my mother.
I hope she lives a long happy life without ever having to worry about this. However, it’s good to know her daughter is already thinking about her.
So many great tips! My grandmother spent a lot of time going from the hospital to a rehab center and it was so important to make her feel at home at every place!
Oh yes, no matter the switch, we should always work to make them as comfortable as possible. I have to admit, that’s not as easy when it’s outside the home.
This is a great idea to help elders transition. It would be nice to make everything as comfortable as possible for them since they’re already having a difficult time as it is!
I couldn’t agree more! I can’t yet imagine how it would feel to be so independent then dependent. Not an easy thing.
I had to move my mom from a hospital bed to an assisted living facility. I made sure there were lots of her things, wall decor, a few pieces of furniture, to make her feel at home as much as possible.
I have no doubt that wasn’t an easy thing. However, it sounds like you handled it with flying colors. A little home away from home.
These are some great tips! Luckily, I haven’t had to help anyone make a transition like this, but it’s nice to know how to be prepared if/when it happens.
I’m glad you haven’t had to! It’s not as hard as it sounds but the mental aspect is. I agree, always great to be prepared.
thank you for sharing something we often don’t talk about. it makes me so sad to think of this, my grandpa is 86 and I often feel bad because I know he is getting to this point in life and we all need to start thinking about all of this.
Not all of us come to this point. However, it DOES happen more than I wish it did. I’m sure if the time comes, you will handle it well.
Thank heavens this is not something I have had to experience yet, since my parents and in laws are still in good health. However, you never know when that can change and these are such great tips. Thanks for sharing.
Sadly, life can make that change pretty quickly. However, it doesn’t happen to everyone! So, I hold out hope that it won’t happen to you.
I have never had an elder person living with me. But I do know it’s going to happen in the future. I never would have thought of half of these things. Besides a TV I would be very unprepared. It’s good that we can be there for those that need it and making it easier is always a good thing.
I figure, they were there for us, there comes a time when we need to be there for them. Making them as comfortable and welcome as possible only makes life easier for them and us.
It sounds like she has a really nice set up. You thought of everything. Nice work.
Thank you! I appreciate that!