How to Manage Your Loved One’s Hospital Admission

Use these tips to make your loved one’s hospital admission more organized and less stressful.

Types of Admissions

The hospital admission may occur based on:

An emergency trip to the hospital (see our article about How to Advocate for Your Elderly Loved One During a Medical Emergency)
A doctor directed admission based on a doctor’s visit
- the doctor calls the hospital, tells hospitalists what he suspects is wrong and requests direct admission for treatment
Admission for a planned procedure. In this case, you should:
- Find out what needs to be done in advance - tests, etc.
- Find out from the doctor’s office how your loved one needs to prepare for the procedure: do they need to be fasting, can they have water, should they take their morning medications, etc.
  - If your loved one has memory loss, special steps will need to be taken to ensure they comply with these procedures
  - If your loved one lives in an assisted living, skilled nursing, or memory care community, make sure the staff is aware of any pre-procedure restrictions or requirements.

Preparing for Admission

These tips are provided to patients by the National Transitions of Care Coalition in their Guidelines For A Hospital Stay:

Review with your doctor why you are being hospitalized — your diagnosis, any planned tests, and who will be in charge of your care while you are in the hospital.
If you need or want a family member, care manager, caregiver, or friend to act as an advocate for you while you’re hospitalized, ask the person in advance and inform your doctor and admitting health care professionals.
Take these items with you to the hospital:
- Personal identification with your photo (such as a driver’s license).
- Health insurance card(s) and, if needed, referral form.
- An up-to-date list of all medications you are currently taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicine, supplements, vitamins, herbs, etc. Give the list to the hospital.
- A list of allergies or sensitivities to any medicine.
- Results for tests done six weeks or less prior to hospitalization.
- Advance directive, if you have one (if you do not, it is strongly recommended that you complete one).
- Health care decision-makers you may have appointed, or who you desire to make decisions for you if you are unable to make them for yourself

At Care is There, we also suggest that you:

Understand insurance coverage and out of pocket costs:
- Find out how long the stay is expected to be and whether your loved one will be formally admitted as an inpatient, or whether they will be considered to be on outpatient or observation status.
  - Admission status can drastically affect insurance coverage while in the hospital and after discharge to a skilled nursing facility. See our article "Understanding Hospital Observation Status & its Impact on Insurance Coverage"
- Confirm insurance coverage and determine deductibles, copays and out of pocket costs
Gather this information, which your loved one will likely be asked when being admitted:
- Smoking history
- Alcohol and drug use history
- If it is between September and April, whether they have had a flu shot
- Other recommended immunizations for older adults (pneumonia vaccine, etc.)
- Name and phone number of your loved one’s pharmacy or the pharmacy the care facility uses
- Emergency contact information
Be clear on where you will register on the day of admission, the location of the actual admission, and where you will park
Fill out any paperwork that can be done in advance, such as HIPAA information releases
Consider signing up for the hospital’s online portal to facilitate receiving test results and appointment notifications
Make arrangements for matters at home - pet care, home maintenance or security, picking up mail, etc.
Bring these with you to the hospital or treatment facility
- Assistive Devices
  - Make sure hearing aid batteries are fresh and working
  - Glasses, cases, cleaning fluid and wipes
  - Dentures and their containers
- Emergency Medical Info packet:
  - All med lists, medical history, allergies, etc - two copies at least (one to keep with you, other copies to give)
  - HIPAA authorization form
  - Advance directives
  - Emergency contact info
- Electronic devices like phone and laptop, with charged battery and charging cord though the hospital may have restrictions on use
- Shawl or sweater
- Snack/water for you, and for your loved one if they can eat/drink
- Cash for vending machines
- Entertainment for your loved one and yourself - a book, newspaper, magazine, card game
If your loved one has frequent trips to the hospital, you may want to keep an emergency bag ready, including applicable items above

Planning the Next Step

When the admission is complete, begin:

Hospital-specific Admission Instructions

How Care is There can Help

We can help your loved one by:

Clarifying with the doctor the reason for admission, any planned tests, and who will be in charge of your loved one’s care while they are hospitalized
Gathering the information they need for a smooth hospital admission - medication list, medical history, allergies, test results, advance medical directives, HIPAA forms, pharmacy information, emergency contacts
Understanding insurance coverage and out of pocket costs
Ensuring your loved one is familiar with and follows pre-hospitalization preparations
Helping your loved one sign up for the hospital’s online portal
Gathering assistive devices and other items that will be needed during hospitalization - hearing aids, glasses, etc.
Being present with your loved one and ensure they are comfortable during the admission process
Keeping you informed
Working with the hospital staff to organize a successful admission and an orderly and effective discharge to the next level of care

Resources for Managing a Hospital Admission:

Next Steps

Will your loved one undergo a hospital admission in the near future?
Contact Care is There today for a free consultation!

Central Virginia: 434.326.5323
Toll Free: 800.434.1633
Email: Info@CareisThere.com