Published by Home Care Assistance, Inc., From
Hospital to Home Care: A Step by Step Guide to Providing Care to Patients Post
Hospitalization is designed to provide readers the information they
need for a variety of situations when a loved one needs help to stay in his or
her home. This book is designed for readers who are totally unfamiliar at any
level with the process so readers with this knowledge will find little in the
book to assist them. The book is in sections that relate to those involved in
the discharge process, dealing with various diseases, and resources available
to you from the company publishing the book.
After an opening chapter outlining a typical scenario involving an elderly man and his fall requiring hospitalization, it is on to Chapter 2 where the various people who play a role in what happens next are discussed. Whether it be the patient, family members, doctors, nurses, discharge planner, social worker, therapist, etc. everyone has a role and the various roles are covered here.
A key competent of this is the discharge planner who
is the subject of “Chapter Three: Helping the Discharge Planner.” The need for
communication by all is stressed as is the need to verify everything with the
discharge planner.
“Chapter Four:
Where Do Discharge Patient Go?” follows with brief explanations of what
is a skilled nursing facility, hospice, etc.
Chapters Five through Ten cover various situations
and concerns “Post-Discharge.” This can be pain for the patient, safety issues such
as falls, burns, etc. or mental health issues such as depression, anger,
anxiety, etc. Dealing with these issues
as well as exercise and mobility and personal hygiene are covered here in simple
to read short chapters. Like the entire book, a lot of what is in these
chapters reflects various situations where the names have been changed to prove
anonymity for the patient being discussed.
“Chapter Eleven: Acute Medical Problems” begins on
page 74 and covers such issues as Pneumonia, shingles, dehydration,
bowel-related problems, among others.
Each situation is explained in detail before advice is rendered in short
sub-sections titled “Home Care Considerations” and “Emotional Considerations.”
Things can just happen and that is the theme of
“Chapter Twelve: Accidents and Surgeries.”
Soft tissue injuries, fractures, knee replacement, and abdominal
surgery, are covered here.
Chapters Thirteen through Twenty-Three (pages
94-154) go through various specific diseases and their unique situations. Whether
it be Cancer (Chapter 14, pages 99-104), Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
(Chapter 17, pages 115-123), Kidney Disease (Chapter twenty-One, pages 140-145)
and others are covered here. Like the other chapters the information presented
is of a general nature giving readers a wide overview of the situation.
“Chapter Twenty-Four: Transition from Hospital to
Home” returns to the early pages of the book by outlining 7 steps to make
things as successful as possible. Communication with everyone, preparing your
home, having medical equipment delivered, etc., are just a few of the helpful
suggestions in this chapter.
“Chapter Twenty-Five: Summary” is a two page chapter
that follows with a strong point made throughout the book. The home care giver
must take some time for him or her. Taking care of yourself is vitally
important and some suggestions as to how to do so are included here. As this
reviewer well knows from direct personal experience on multiple occasions, this
is way easier said than done. But, vitally important, especially in long term
situations.
The book closes with a one page ad for the company
that had the book published and brief bios of the three company members who
wrote this book. There are also six blank pages for “Notes” at the very end.
Written in very general terms From Hospital to Home Care: A
Step by Step Guide to Providing Care to Patients Post Hospitalization
prepares those who have never gone through any situation like this for what
will happen when it is time to discharge the patient who still needs help. Chapters are short and general in nature designed
for readers who have never been through any of this experience. Readers who
have a need for deeper knowledge will need to look elsewhere.
From
Hospital to Home Care: A Step by Step Guide to Providing Care to Patients Post
Hospitalization
Kathy
N. Johnson, James H. Johnson, and Lily Sarafan
Home
Care Assistance, Inc. (Home Care Press)
January
2012
ISBN#
978-1-4675-0180-4
Paperback
(also available as e-book)
166
Pages
$17.95
Material
supplied by the publisher in exchange for my objective review.
Kevin
R. Tipple ©2012
Author of the e-book short story collection Mind
Slices available at Amazon and Smashwords in a variety of formats. Contributor
to the Carpathian Shadows, Volume II anthology available in print and
e-book.
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