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After a rehabilitation or hospital stay for you or a family member, there are many considerations to take into account before making the transition to home.

The video above provides tips to facilitate the adjustment period after a move back home. Some of these suggestions are highlighted below.

Make home modifications:
After an accident or hospital stay, an elder returning home may have lost some of his or her mobility and may need certain modifications to be safe there. These may include moving the bed downstairs, incorporating a toilet adapter, putting a chair in the shower and/or installing a grab bar.

You may also need to utilize a wheelchair or walker if you or your loved one has trouble getting around.

Use a home health agency:
The best way to ensure you or your loved one is safe and cared for after returning home is through utilizing home health services.

Home health aides can assist with a variety of tasks including meal preparation, showering, medication management and more.

Always make sure to speak with a few different agencies before choosing one. Ask if they are bonded, insured and licensed. Ask if they perform background checks on their employees and if they drug test. What type of training and education do they require from their employees? Get a list of what they will or will not do to determine if they are the right fit for your needs.

“The more questions you ask prior to employing a caregiver,” the video says, “the better the experience will be for all who are affected.”

Contact your health insurance company:
Before seeking services or equipment for yourself or a family member, reach out to the associated insurance company to see what is covered, and for how long.

Know that if your insurance coverage runs out for a particular service, there are still options to attain care outside of insurance.

Visit Nrrchamber.com for local reputable agencies within the Neponset River Regional Chamber. You can also contact 1-800-AGE-INFO or your local council on aging for additional help in navigating the process.

Whitney Place Assisted Living and Memory Care at Sharon, a SALMON Health and Retirement community, is a member of the Neponset River Regional Chamber of Commerce and Elder Care Alliance.