Admission
The first stop in the hospital will be the admitting office. Here your elderly mom or dad will sign forms allowing the hospital staff to treat them and to release medical information to their insurance company. They also will be asked about advance directives.
Most people 65 and older have Medicare health insurance, which has two parts: Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). Medicare Part A helps pay for care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and hospices, as well as some home health care. It covers a semiprivate room, meals, general nursing, and other hospital services and supplies. It does not pay for private duty nursing, a television or telephone in their room, or a private room, unless medically necessary. For more information about Medicare coverage, call the toll-free helpline at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
If your senior parent doesn't have health insurance, an admissions counselor can advise you and them about other payment methods and sources of financial aid, such as the Hill-Burton program. Hill-Burton hospitals provide free or below-cost health care to people unable to pay. Eligibility for these free services is based on family size and income. For more information, call the Hill-Burton hotline at 1-800-638-0742; Maryland residents should call 1-800-492-0359.
Hospital Staff
Once all the forms have been filled out, your elderly mom or dad will be taken to his or her room. You both will then begin to meet the health professionals who will care for them while they're in the hospital.
Doctors are in charge of their overall care. They'll have an attending physician, who may be their primary doctor, a doctor on the hospital staff to whom you've been referred, or a specialist. In a teaching hospital (where doctors train), several doctors care for each patient. For example, the attending physician directs the house staff - medical students, residents (doctors who have recently graduated from medical school), and fellows (doctors who receive training in a special area of medicine or surgery after their residency training).
Nurses - registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, nurse's aides, and nursing students - provide many patient-care services. For example, nurses give medicines, check vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, and pulse), provide treatments, and teach patients to care for themselves. The head nurse coordinates nursing care for each patient on the unit (the floor or section of the hospital where your senior parent's room is located).
Physical therapists teach patients how to build muscles, increase flexibility, and improve coordination. They may use exercise, heat, cold, or water therapy to help patients whose ability to move is limited.
Occupational therapists work with patients to restore, maintain, or increase their ability to perform daily tasks such as cooking, eating, bathing, and dressing.
Respiratory therapists prevent and treat breathing problems. For example, they teach patients exercises to help prevent lung infections after surgery.
Technicians perform a variety of tests such as x-rays or procedures such as taking blood.
Dietitians help plan specialized menus for patients and teach them how to plan a well-balanced diet.
Pharmacists know the chemical makeup and correct use of drugs. They prepare the medicines used in the hospital.
Social workers offer support to patients and their families. They can help patients and families learn about home-care, social services, and support groups.
Discharge planners help patients arrange for health and home care needs after they go home from the hospital.