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Home Care for Seniors in Waukesha County: Why Daily Support Matters

When families think about home care for seniors, they often picture help with bathing, meals, or transportation. Those tasks matter, but overall daily support also plays a critical role in helping older adults stay healthy and avoid returning to the hospital.

About one in five patients discharged from the hospital is readmitted within 30 days. These readmissions often happen when routines break down after medical care ends. (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)

Not all in-home care is medical. Still, having consistent support at home helps seniors maintain healthy habits that directly affect recovery and long-term well-being.

How Daily Routines Support Recovery

Hospitals address medical needs, but recovery depends on what happens once a senior returns home. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services emphasize strong discharge planning because many readmissions stem from difficulty managing everyday care after leaving the hospital.

In-home care supports daily routines that promote stability and safety, including:

• Regular meals and hydration
• Consistent schedules
• Support that prevents small issues from becoming emergencies

These routines help seniors feel more secure and supported during recovery.

Medication, Meals, and Sleep Make a Difference

Medication adherence plays a major role in preventing unnecessary hospital visits. The CDC reports that more than 1.5 million people visit U.S. emergency departments each year due to adverse drug events, with nearly 500,000 hospitalizations resulting. Medication errors and missed doses significantly impact older adults.

Nutrition and hydration also matter. When seniors eat and drink consistently, they lower their risk of falls, infections, fatigue, and confusion, especially those living alone or with mobility challenges.

Sleep often gets overlooked. Poor or irregular sleep can worsen chronic conditions and affect mood, memory, and blood pressure, all of which slow recovery and impact overall health.

The Power of Everyday Support

Seniors who receive daily living support experience fewer avoidable hospital readmissions than those without help. Caregivers reinforce routines, notice small changes early, and reduce stress for both seniors and family members.

Hospital discharge instructions can feel overwhelming. Many readmissions occur because seniors struggle to manage these instructions on their own. In-home care bridges the gap between clinical care and daily life by turning instructions into manageable routines.

Social connection matters, too. The U.S. Surgeon General warns that loneliness and isolation increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, depression, anxiety, and premature death. Building consistent social interaction is a public health priority, especially for older adults. (U.S. Surgeon General releases Advisory and National Strategy to Advance Social Connection)

Transitional Care Helps Seniors Return Home Safely

A strong support system at home, combined with coordinated care, lowers the risk of hospital readmission after a stay in the hospital, rehabilitation center, or skilled nursing facility.

ComForCare’s Transitional Care services help seniors throughout Waukesha County return home safely and confidently. These services include:

• Reviewing hospital discharge instructions and creating a personalized care plan
• Picking up prescriptions and providing medication reminders
• Assisting with reminders for follow-up appointments
• Helping identify early warning signs of health changes

ComForCare caregivers also assist with personal care, meal preparation, laundry, light housekeeping, and home safety recommendations. When needed, they can communicate with family members and health professionals to keep everyone informed.

By reinforcing daily routines and providing consistent support, Transitional Care helps seniors heal safely during a vulnerable time.

Let’s Connect About Care for Your Loved One

Caring for a loved one after a hospital stay can feel overwhelming. Having a trusted care partner makes it easier to maintain routines, promote safety, and support independence.

ComForCare offers free in-home assessments throughout Waukesha County and surrounding Wisconsin communities. These assessments help families understand what daily support and transitional care could look like for their situation.

Call (262) 446-2000 or email [email protected] to schedule your assessment today.

Safe, consistent in-home support from ComForCare that helps your loved one thrive every day.

Learn more about how we can help.