If you have been admitted to hospital as an inpatient, the medical team will determine when you're ready to leave. They will also recommend what should happen next. Even if you are responsible for funding your own care, you may be entitled to some financial support, so you need to know what your options are.
It’s important that you don’t stay in hospital, especially if confined to a bed, for any longer than is necessary. Statistics show that muscle loss progresses at the rate of 5% per day. Consequently, this makes recuperation much harder.
Make sure you’re involved in all of the discussions. It’s so important that you are happy with the recommendations that are being made. With that in mind, it might be a good idea to have a family member or friend with you when that ‘next steps’ discussion takes place.
There are several possible options, depending on your health and fitness:
2. Care Assessment
The hospital has a legal obligation to assess your care needs. You can read the NHS guide on getting a needs assessment here. This will directly influence where you go next, and the support that should be arranged.
Once the Medical Team is satisfied that you are fit to leave, the hospital Discharge Team can support you in finding the most appropriate solution.
The Discharge Team is responsible for sourcing and/or organising ongoing support. This could be arranging an initial home care package, or NHS funded Continuing Healthcare. Alternatively, they might liaise with suitable residential care homes to find a room for you (for short or long-term stay).
If you are funding your own care and would like to discuss your options with an independent and impartial senior care expert, call the Autumna advice line team on 01892 335 330 who will be happy to help.
If your assets exceed the means test figures (£23,250 in England and N. Ireland, £28,000 in Scotland and £50,000 in Wales) you will have to fund your ongoing care (unless you’re receiving NHS Continuing Healthcare). If this is the case, it’s even more important that you are actively involved in all of the decisions that are being made.
There's a lot of information on our site - and more to come. But if you have a query and can't find the answer, call the team on 01892 335 330 or email them on info@autumna.co.uk.
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