Tough Conversations: How to Discuss Transitional Care With a Loved One Who Needs It

Sometimes, when it’s time for a loved one to leave the hospital, they may not be ready to care for themselves at home. Transitional Care is a care option that bridges the gap between a hospital stay and returning home, allowing a comfortable place to continue to recuperate, and peace of mind for caregivers and loved ones.

Discussing transitional care may not always be an easy conversation to have, but in some cases, it may be necessary. Here are a few things to keep in mind when bringing up the topic of transitional care with a loved one who needs it.

Make a Plan

Before you talk with your loved one about the possibility of transitional care, make sure you come ready with a plan for how things will go. Discuss with your loved one’s medical team the possible length of care that your loved one will experience. Think ahead about logistics like cost and proximity of the transitional care center to caregivers. Investigate potential transitional care centers that might work, and try to schedule a visit if you can. The more information you have ahead of time, the easier the conversation with your loved one will be.

Listen

As with any conversation, it’s important to make sure you practice listening. If your loved one is nervous about the possibility of transitional care, it’s important to listen to their concerns and find a solution that works for them and their wants and needs. After a medical stay, it’s natural to want to head straight home rather than to another care center. Your loved one may have concerns about the length of their transitional stay, or other aspects of their care. Make sure you take the time to listen to their concerns and opinions, rather than pushing forward with your own agenda.

Communicate You Care

On the flip side of listening is expressing your feelings. Make sure you take time to tell your loved one how much you care about them, their health, and their happiness. Care of any kind, including transitional care, is about making sure someone receives the help they need. During your conversation, emphasize that the decision to look into transitional care was because you care for your loved one. Whatever solution ultimately works best for your loved one and their situation, make sure that it is decided based on good communication and genuine care.

To learn more about the care options available for your loved one at Ebenezer communities, visit our Ebenezer Transitional Care page.