I've wanted to do a spotlight on this product for a while but needed to check it out for myself first. I heard about Nixplay on a Facebook group, where someone asked, "What is a good gift for Grandparents?" Such a great question! I feel like I always give the same thing year after year, and I wanted to give our Grandparents something they really loved this past Christmas. The poster got a lot of great recommendations, but people overwhelmingly responded with the idea of a Nixplay Digital Frame. Initially this did not impress me...I've given the digital frame before, what's the big deal?

But guys, this is not your typical digital frame. 
​
Nixplay allows you to upload pictures to a cloud based digital frame...so basically, I can upload pictures to my Gammy's Nixplay frame in Birmingham while I'm sitting at home with the kids in Alex City! How cool is that??

Not only can I upload pictures without even being in the same room, but I can add other friends or family members as users to the frame as well. For my husband's Grandparents his cousins went in with us on the frame and all 3 of us can add to the frame any time we have new pictures. It's so simple and easy to do right from your smartphone. You literally download the app, sync the frame and then start sending pictures!

Many seniors live away from their kids and grandkids, and often experience moments of loneliness and isolation. Although, Nixplay should never be a substitution for actual human interaction, it can help a senior feel engaged and connected with family members who they do not get to see on a regular basis. 

In total we bought 3 Nixplay Seed frames for Christmas presents this last year. Of those 3, I have technical difficulties setting up one of the frames. So after Googling my issue, and getting nowhere, I ended up just calling tech support at Nixplay. Tech support was great and did a remote hard reset of the frame, which fixed the issue! 

I would absolutely recommend this frame to anyone! It was easy to use and had a relatively simple setup process. Nixplay does make a regular digital frame that you can use without Wifi, but what's the fun that? 

Nixplay can be purchased at Walmart, Amazon, and Nixplay.com(which is where we purchased ours.) If you have a Nixplay frame tell us what you think by commenting below this post!

**I should mention, I am not an affiliate, nor do I receive any financial gain from posting about this product. I just like to recommend products I really like:) 

Transition periods can be the most stressful and overwhelming for both a patient and their family. Last week on the blog we went through transition planning from the caregivers perspective. Today, Stephanie Jones from Russell Medical's Transitional Care Unit talks more about transitioning home from the hospital or Rehab unit. Watch the video below for our interview with Stephanie.

Also, don't forget to check out our free transition checklist. Fill out the form below for the download!

If you are like most, a hospital is the last place you want to call home. We can't wait to get home to our own beds, our own space, and back to normal.

Many times, transitioning home from an inpatient rehab or hospital setting can bring its own set of challenges; not just for the patient but also the family involved in care. It can be scary and overwhelming to transition home and that's completely understandable.
 
1 in 5 seniors are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Most readmission happens within the first 16 days, making the case that proper transitional care and planning is essential for the patient's recovery.
 
Planning....that's what transitional care is truly all about. Yes, there are other factors involved but the core of transitioning from inpatient care to home, starts with a plan.
 
We all know the basic components of a well laid plan; answer the questions who, what, when, where, and how. But answering these questions can sometimes leave us scratching our heads. So, let’s go through each of these items together to help create clarity while you create your own transition plan:
 
WHO is going to provide care when your loved one transitions home? Is it you, part of your family, maybe even a hired caregiver? Or are you putting together a team of people to help you provide care? (hint, hint) This is not the time to claim super hero strength. No one person can provide 24/7 care for an individual who needs round the clock care. Be honest with yourself and call in reinforcements, whether they are hired or volunteers. You also don't want to assume the individual can handle caring for themselves when they really cannot. Speak to the case manager at the hospital to help guide you in how much care is needed. My tip, more in the beginning is better! After a few days you will have a better idea of how much care is needed. It’s better to be prepared than to assume...you know what they say about assuming:)
 
WHAT kind of care/equipment/supplies will be needed once they get home? Will they need Physical Therapy, maybe even Occupational Therapy? Will they need a walker or bedside commode? Will they need help walking, getting a bath, getting dressed, preparing food, etc. Based on the answers to your questions, you may need to seek Home Care assistance for both the medical and non medical needs of the person. Again, your patient advocate or case manager should be able to help guide you.
 
WHEN should I start planning for the transition? The answer to this question seems to shock many people, but honestly the answer is day 1. The first day of inpatient treatment is when you start thinking about and planning for the transition home. Obviously, you cannot lay concrete plans with dates attached until you know when discharge will occur, but this is the time to learn what options are available in your area. Reach out to the Case Manager or Patient Advocate to learn all you can about resources in your area. Ask friends who have been through a transition with their family members or friends. I cannot tell you how many families call me on their way home from rehab to see if we can provide a caregiver that day. Of course, we do our best to accommodate the situation, but a clear plan helps all parties involved understand expectations and goals for better outcomes for the patient.
 
HOW will the transition occur? Based on the individual's insurance they may qualify for a rehab stay to create a smooth transition out of the hospital and build up strength to go home. However, there are times when the transition may be straight from hospital to home. In these instances, work with home care providers to aid in smooth transitions. Both Home Health (PT/OT, wound care, nurse visits, etc.) and Home Care (personal care, meal prep, laundry, light housekeeping, errands, etc.) can assist you in the transition process.
 
Whatever your needs may be in transitional care, remember, it all starts with a plan. We've put together a free transitional care checklist to help guide your thoughts and actions as you prepare a transitional care plan of your own. Click the link below to sign up for our email and receive this free guide!
 
We'd love to hear your thoughts and advice on transitional care! Comment below to share with our community or email us at info@beyondhomecareal.com. What has helped you in creating a transitional care plan? What tips or tricks were valuable in the process? 

If you are located in or around Tallapoosa County, we would love to help with your transition plan! Call Beyond Home Care to schedule a free assessment today! 256.414.6090