Returning Home: The First Few Days
The Warning Signs
Regardless of your older adult’s situation and conditions, you will want to know the warning signs that could signal trouble when your senior is discharged from a hospital or facility.
Each senior’s situation will be unique, but some general warning signs will help determine whether your older adult is in trouble.
According to the Visiting Nurse Service of New York*, general problems to watch for include:
- No bowel movements in three days
- New skin problems
- Change in balance, coordination or strength
- Change in mental status or behavior
- Nausea or vomiting
- Running out of medication
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Fever
Be sure to call the doctor if any of the problems above appear to be an issue for your senior. The Visiting Nurse Service of New York advises to call 911 if your senior is experiencing any of the following:
- Fall and is bleeding
- Fall and has a broken bone
- Severe or prolonged bleeding
- Severe or prolonged pain
- You are unable to wake the senior
- New onset of slurred speech
- Sudden weakness in arms or legs
- Chest pain that medication does not help
- Increased Difficulty breathing not relieved by rest or medications
For more information about the symptoms and problems of chronic conditions, such as congestive heart failure and heart attack, visit www.ReturningHome.com/conditions