🏥 What Is Elder Post-Discharge Home Care?
Elder post-discharge home care is a structured and compassionate home-based support system that helps elderly patients recover safely and comfortably after a hospital stay. It ensures that all medical, nursing, rehabilitation, and personal care needs are managed professionally within the patient’s home, avoiding complications or readmission.
🎯 Why It’s Essential for Seniors
Elderly patients often face:
- Delayed healing due to age or comorbidities (diabetes, heart issues)
- Risk of hospital-acquired infections
- High emotional stress if left without follow-up care
Home care enables:
- Faster physical and emotional recovery
- Continuity of treatment (e.g., dressing, therapy)
- Supervision without repeated hospital visits
🧰 Core Components of Post-Discharge Home Care
| Service Area | Detailed Support Provided |
|---|---|
| 🩺 Medical Nursing | Wound dressing, catheter care, tracheostomy care, IV therapy, oxygen monitoring, vitals check |
| 💊 Medication Management | Administering tablets, injections, insulin, IV drips, pain meds |
| 🧍 Personal Care | Bathing, oral hygiene, grooming, diaper change, assistance with toilet use |
| 🍲 Nutrition Care | Meal prep as per doctor/dietitian’s advice, PEG/NG feeding |
| 🧘 Physiotherapy | Muscle strengthening, mobility training, stroke rehab, post-surgical rehab |
| 🛏️ Bed Sore Prevention | Repositioning every 2–3 hrs, air mattress use, skin checks |
| 🧴 Hygiene & Sanitation | Clean room setup, sterile dressing, urine bag/catheter cleaning |
| 🧠 Cognitive/Emotional Support | Dementia-friendly interaction, anxiety reduction, family updates |
⏱️ Typical Duration of Care
- Short-term (7–14 days): For surgical recovery, IV meds, etc.
- Medium-term (1–3 months): Post-stroke, cardiac issues
- Long-term/ongoing: Chronic conditions, dementia, bedridden care
🏠 Where Care Happens
- At the patient’s home (bedroom converted to semi-clinical setting)
- Supported by visiting or live-in nurses, attendants, or therapists
🔹 Services Offered in Tamil Nadu (City-wise Examples)
✅ Coimbatore & Salem
- Anbu Sri Sai Home Nursing Services
- ICU-experienced nurses, physio, and caregiver support
- Phone: 📞 78715 31777 / 91597 66477
- Inhouse Medicare
- Full post-ICU discharge care, equipment rental, counseling
- inhousemedicare.com
✅ Chennai & Suburbs
- Nightingales Home Health
- Structured discharge plans (elder surgery/stroke recovery)
- 📞 1800 103 4530
- Portea Medical
- Catheter, tracheostomy, feeding, dressing, rehab support
- Website: www.portea.com
✅ Madurai, Trichy, Tirunelveli, Erode
- Sakthi Home Nursing Services
- Nurses and general caregivers available statewide
- 📞 99527 95188
- GetzInfoz Home Care
- 24×7 elderly support, hourly visits, post-op recovery
💸 Cost Estimates (2025)
| Service Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Nurse visit (1–2 hours) | ₹500 – ₹1,000 per visit |
| 12-hour caregiver shift | ₹12,000 – ₹18,000/month |
| 24×7 live-in caregiver | ₹20,000 – ₹30,000/month |
| Physiotherapy (per session) | ₹600 – ₹1,200/session |
| Equipment (airbed, oxygen) | ₹3,000 – ₹9,000/month (rent) |
📋 What to Prepare at Home
- Hospital discharge summary and medicine chart
- Set up a clean, well-lit, ventilated room
- Arrange for:
- Hospital bed / air mattress
- Bedside commode
- Suction machine / oxygen setup if prescribed
- Contact a verified care agency 24–48 hours before discharge
✅ Benefits to Families
- Fewer hospital re-visits
- Affordable, 1-on-1 personalized care
- Peace of mind for local or NRI families
- Better emotional and physical recovery for elders
🛠️ How to Get Started
- Get a care plan from the hospital at discharge
- Share it with a home care agency for a tailored care package
- Confirm caregiver shift timing, nurse visits, and equipment needs
- Begin service on the same day of discharge to avoid health gaps