6 Ways Long-Term Acute Care Nurses Help Residents Avoid Hospital Stays

• Nurses involved in long-term acute care play a key role in helping residents avoid trips to the hospital. 
• Being admitted to the hospital can be distressing for residents and lead to further deterioration of their health. 
• Encouraging healthy eating and managing chronic disease are just two ways long-term acute care nurses can help residents stay healthy. 

Due to ongoing healthcare advances, people can live longer than they were previously. This means the elderly population is increasing, and nurses play an important role in helping older adults stay healthy and independent for as long as possible. The longer we can assist the elderly in maintaining their independence, the less likely they will be admitted to the hospital.

Why It’s Important to Keep Elderly Residents Out of the Hospital

It’s distressing for patients to be admitted to the hospital and can lead to further health deterioration. Hospital admissions also increase the likelihood of the resident getting a hospital–acquired illness, in addition to the health issue they are already experiencing. This can make treatment more difficult and longer, resulting in an extended hospital stay. Nurses can play a major role in preventing admission to the hospital with the interventions below. 

How Long-Term Acute Care Nurses Help Keeps Residents Out of the Hospital

Encourage Healthy Eating

It’s important for the elderly to get the vitamins and energy necessary for daily living. Nurses should ensure the elderly resident receives a variety of fruits and vegetables with their meals and that they are eating more than 50% of each meal. Ensuring they get the proper nutrition will assist them in maintaining their health and managing any chronic health conditions they may have. 

Management of Chronic Disease

Nurses should also ensure elderly residents take all prescribed medications and monitor the response to these treatments. If any medications are not working well for the resident, the physician should be notified, and treatment should be adjusted. Resident education on what to do if they feel unwell is also beneficial.

Exercise and Therapy Programs

The elderly need to keep as active a lifestyle as possible. Many residents may already have a physical therapy program as part of their care plan. Another way to help elderly residents stay active is to offer walks outside and encourage outings with resident family members.

Mental Acuity

Exercising the brain is just as important as exercising the body. Elderly residents should have access to various activities that help support memory and cognitive health. Playing bingo and chess or completing word finds and other puzzles all help to stimulate the brain.

Encourage Social Lifestyles

Often, elderly residents can feel isolated and lonely. This is especially true for those whose family members who live farther away and are not able to visit often. Some elderly residents spend much of their day without speaking to anyone, and this can lead to depression. Nurses should evaluate the resident’s social interactions and how often they try to engage with others.

Several groups and activities are available to support the elderly resident but often the elderly person is unaware of these options. Nurses will likely be the ones to help connect a resident with resources and ensure they’re getting the social interaction they need for their mental health.

Preparation for Cold Seasons

Cold weather increases the likelihood of elderly residents being admitted to the hospital. The flu virus and pneumonia are most common in colder months, and it’s important to ensure elderly residents receive the flu and pneumonia vaccines. Since the immune system weakens with aging, getting these vaccinations will reduce the risk of contracting either the flu or pneumonia and reduce the chance of being admitted to the hospital. 

The Bottom Line

Elderly residents are at an increased risk for hospitalization. However, the interventions above can help reduce the likelihood of severe illness and hospital admission. The elderly resident is at their happiest and healthiest when they can live with their familiar surroundings. So anything the nurse can do to make that possible will help positive health outcomes and satisfaction of the resident. 

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