Expert: Nancy Galloway
Company: Senior Helpers
Phone: (502) 690-2648
Website: https://www.seniorhelpers.com/ky/louisville
Published on January 23rd, 2026
| Sound familiar? If it does, you are not alone. Events that lead to re-hospitalizations among seniors is rising at an alarming rate. With the population aging, the increase in hospitalizations is of great concern to seniors, their families, healthcare systems, government payors and insurance companies. Keeping seniors safe at home, particularly now, is of the utmost importance to everyone involved. What Do We Do About It? The sad reality is that 20% who leave the hospital will be readmitted within 30 days and more than half will be readmitted within one year- readmission can be avoided! It takes an individualized approach because each person has a unique set of circumstances when they get home. These are called social determinants of health. Researchers have found that Social Determinants of Health, the patient’s environmental and social factors, have a greater influence on health outcomes than genetics or clinical care. Many hospital readmissions can be traced to non-clinical factors such as having insufficient support for day to-day functional needs after a patient is discharged to home. To keep seniors safe at home, it’s essential to understand what we are sending them home to and how they will manage once they get there. Solution Until recently, there was not an objective way of identifying health risks associated with social determinants of health. Thankfully, there is a scoring tool called LIFE Profile ™ that now helps us identify, measure and address all relevant social, behavioral, functional and environmental influencers that put a senior at risk of harm. Here are factors to consider to prevent the seniors in your life from being hospitalized- 1.) Medical Condition Management: Ability to monitor medical conditions and follow medication regimen. 2.) Safety: Identify hidden safety risks and areas of concern around the home. 3.) Independence: Ability to safely perform daily activities in the home. 4.) Caregiver Burden: Availability of resources and care from family, caregivers, and the community. 5.) Quality of life: Access to enjoyable leisure activities and social interaction. In Conclusion By identifying and addressing the full range of social, functional, and environmental factors that impact senior health, seniors have a safer and more successful way to age at home. With the right support in place, unnecessary hospital readmissions can be reduced and seniors can thrive where they feel most comfortable. |
