A new Copenhagen Region initiative that involves elderly patients being followed home by hospital staff after checking out is becoming increasingly popular, according to a new report from KORA, the Danish Institute for Local and Regional Government Research.
The initiative means that hospital staff are able to assist patients regarding their medicine intake and ensure their homes are in a reasonable state.
“I am pleased to have confirmation of what I already knew,” said Sophie Hæstorp Andersen, the regional council chairwoman.
“A close presence plays an important role for elderly people who have been admitted to hospital – for short or long periods.”
“It’s essential we create a secure experience all the way round when it comes to visiting the hospital, and the follow-home initiative contributes to that.”
READ MORE: Elderly in nursing homes worse off than those at home, study finds
Capital trust
About 3,000 patients are helped home by hospital staff every year as part of the initiative, which was first launched in 2010.
Aside from the follow-home initiative, the is also a call-home initiative that is used for less vulnerable patients.
The initiatives have been implemented at all emergency hospitals in the Capital Region.
