Leaving the hospital is often treated as the finish line in a patient’s care journey. But for medically stable patients who lack transportation, reliable assistance, or appropriate support at home, leaving the hospital safely may not be possible.
More than 10% of hospital days are unnecessary and driven by non-medical factors. These additional days contribute to hospital overcrowding and higher costs, but they can also leave patients feeling powerless during an already vulnerable time.
CareLinx by Sharecare’s Post-Discharge Support Program helps address that gap by working with health systems to quickly place highly vetted, non-medical caregivers in patients’ homes. These caregivers assist with everything from activities of daily living to acting as the eyes and ears of the clinical team to ensure that people can return home and remain there safely, rather than stay in the hospital because they have nowhere else to go.
In my role, I spend a lot of time talking with health systems about length of stay, readmissions, utilization, and total cost of care. Those outcomes matter. But it’s more important to remember that behind every avoided hospital day is a person. And a recent case reminded me of the very real impact of our work.
Washington-based Valley Medical asked CareLinx to support a Veteran who had spent 29 additional days in the hospital; but in order to return to the comfort and dignity of his own home, he needed around-the-clock care. With less than 24 hours’ notice, our team identified and confirmed three caregivers who could provide 24/7 support to the Veteran and his hospice team. Our care partners, care advisors, and operational leaders coordinated the many details necessary to get the Veteran home safely, and delivered the compassion and humanity that ultimately mattered most.
Because the team came together, this Veteran made it home, where his friends came to see him and they spent time talking and laughing with one another. He was present and engaged. At one point, he asked his caregiver to raise his bed so he could look out at the river from his apartment. Once his condition changed and hospice stepped in to manage his pain, he passed peacefully at home, surrounded by people who cared about him.
Often, we measure the value of home care through reduced hospital stays, avoided readmissions, and lower costs. But it can also be measured in moments like these: when someone can spend their final moments in a familiar place with the people that matter. For this Veteran, having the right support waiting beyond the hospital doors made that possible.