In-Hospital Care
Eldercare Home Health provides personalised PSW and nursing support for seniors during a hospital stay. Our care is actively managed by a Registered Nurse and goes far beyond a basic sitter service.
More than a sitter
Hospital stays carry risks for elderly clients. Inactivity, missed meals, and periods without assistance can lead to deconditioning that makes recovery harder. Our caregivers help keep your parent active and comfortable.
Our Registered Nurse also advocates for your parent with the hospital care team. We speak up when something needs attention and help families understand what the healthcare team is recommending.
Care continues at discharge
When it is time to go home, we help manage the discharge and ensure care is in place the moment your parent arrives. The same Registered Nurse who managed care in hospital coordinates the transition to avoid gaps.
Crisis or planned stay — we are here for you
Help keep your elderly parent in the hospital from becoming deconditioned, so they can go home sooner. Get real PSW senior care that is actively managed by a Registered Nurse at no added charge. The Registered Nurse will also advocate for your elderly parent while they are in the hospital. And when it is time to go home, we will help with your parent's discharge, and care at home as well, to reduce the chance of having to return to hospital.
We provide care to elderly clients at North York General Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, St Michael's Hospital, Humber River Hospital, Baycrest, and other GTA hospitals.
The two most common scenarios we come across are seniors who have found themselves in the hospital as the result of a sudden crisis, and seniors who have planned surgery. In both cases, having supplemental care while in the hospital can make a real difference. Often seniors who have found themselves in the hospital as the result of a crisis are completely unprepared for the stress, anxiety, and confusion that can accompany a hospital stay. Seniors and their families often find it difficult to understand what is going on, who is supposed to be doing what, and when. It is at this time of crisis that they realise that the medical community is a world unto itself, with its own way of doing things that can be difficult to navigate.
Day-to-day support in hospital
Eldercare Home Health caregivers can assist hospitalised clients with timely visits to the bathroom, showering, dressing, walking, meals, and more. They can also communicate concerns to the hospital staff and our own Registered Nurses, to help ensure action is taken when required. Knowing a caregiver is on site can also provide the reassurance families need, so that they themselves can take a break.
It is important for families to understand that there are people at the hospital who can help. A social worker can help you understand what is going on, what your options are, and what to expect. Your social worker can also, when the time comes, help you access resources in preparation for discharge. Eldercare Home Health has been a trusted resource to social workers in hospitals throughout the GTA since 1995. We understand the hospital environment and the many challenges. We can help both during the hospital stay as well as with the discharge and return home.
Planned surgery and recovery
Seniors who have planned surgery often know that they will need help during their recovery, but sometimes underestimate just how much. The majority of seniors who have spouses have spouses who are a similar age to them. Depending on the type of surgery, recovery can take weeks. It can be exhausting helping someone 24 hours a day during this period. Having the right care in place at the right time can help prevent problems, ensure the client is safe, reduce the hospital stay, and allow the client to return home sooner.
Once care is agreed, you will be asked to sign a care agreement covering the services and rates. There is no lock-in: you are not committed to a set number of weeks or hours per week, and the minimum for an individual shift is 4 hours. Invoices can be paid by cheque or electronically through any of the major banks.
Five steps to care
Below are the steps Eldercare Home Health takes when arranging care for seniors in hospital and at discharge.
- 1
Initial enquiry
We ask about the person you are calling about, any recent changes in health, your key concerns, and how soon care is needed. A Registered Nurse is usually available to speak with you directly.
- 2
Assessment by a Registered Nurse
A Registered Nurse visits to meet the client, review their health status and environment, and speak with the care team if in hospital or a facility. All assessments are conducted by a Registered Nurse.
- 3
Care plan
The nurse proposes a schedule with identified outcomes, hours, and caregiver type. A Registered Nurse Case Manager is assigned to oversee all care and liaise with the client's physicians and pharmacists. There is no added fee for nursing case management.
- 4
Care agreement
You review and sign a care agreement. There is no lock-in; you can cancel with short notice. Invoices are payable by cheque or through your bank.
- 5
Care begins
The Registered Nurse Case Manager selects and introduces the caregiver. Our caregivers are Eldercare employees, not contractors. All staff carry liability insurance and are supervised throughout.