Transition from hospital to home
fracture, confusion, ill
Caregivers expressed frustration, confusion and uncertainty at the point of transitioning home. Such feelings were principally attributed to a lack of communication throughout discharge planning with caregivers feeling isolated, underprepared and excluded from the decision-making. Visitor restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic may have also reduced communication channels and contributed to caregiver uncertainty, resulting in concerns of whether the person with hip fracture was receiving adequate.‘It’s very difficult. I was at one point sending her back to hospital 'cause I was so frantic with it all.’(Caregiver,Female,Intervention Group)‘Nothing is said(about discharge)at the hospital,apart from telling you have an appointment ineight weeks,there’s nothing else said.’(Caregiver,Male,Intervention Group)‘I mean the one thing that I do remember is really actually a feeling of isolation and a little bit concerned at whether or not I was doing the right things to support her.’(Caregiver,Male,Intervention Group)The profile of caregivers also contributes to their competence in managing the transition home, potentially relying on previous experiences to navigate the health system and available services.‘You know,imagine if you if you weren't an old nurse like me? How on earth can you even navigate the system? I think people are getting lost out there and it’s creating a lot of problems for the health service.’(Caregiver,Female,Intervention Group)Some participants shared how they had to ‘beg, steal and borrow’ equipment from friends and family. It is apparent that the onus is on the caregiver themselves to navigate and seek the appropriate provisions for recovering at home with hip fracture and there was a feeling of abandonment.‘Luckily,some family had a spare single bed. A friend had a perching stool and a trolley.And then another friend,sadly her husband had been ill,but they had purchased their own wheelchair and we actually borrowed that wheelchair.And a cousin,he built some ramps so I could get the wheelchair in.’(Caregiver,Female,Control Group)