Hospital at Home treats 81-year-old Govindamah in the comfort of her home

When 81-year-old Govindamah Naidoo became ill with bronchopneumonia in August 2022 and needed to be hospitalised, her doctor admitted her to Discovery Health Medical Scheme's Hospital at Home.

Govindamah's daughter, Vijay Govender explains: "My mom was 81 last year and at that age you don't want to leave your home. When her physician, Dr Sudeshan Govender, suggested she receive her treatment at home instead of being admitted to hospital, she couldn't believe that she had this option. She was so happy and I think that, in itself, made her heal a little faster."

• We launched Hospital at Home in January 2022, giving eligible patients access to high-quality medical care in the comfort of their own home. So, avoiding hospital admission.
• Hospital at Home offers 24/7 treatment and monitoring (both in-person and virtual) by a dedicated care team.

"She was so comfortable and relaxed at home"

"My mother was very ill. She had the flu and that turned into bronchopneumonia," says Vijay. "She's been admitted to traditional hospitals many times in the past and each time has been extremely stressful for her."

"But she was so comfortable and relaxed being treated at home, and able to be in her own bed and in familiar surroundings. I truly believe that her being in the comfort of her own home contributed to a quick recovery."

"Having mom at home was also a lot more convenient for me and my siblings. We didn't have to drop everything at home or work to rush to a hospital in time for visiting hours. I could cook and help care for my mother while she was being treated. Honestly, it was such a pleasant experience for us too as her support structure."

"Dr Govender also kept in regular contact with us while mom was admitted to Hospital at Home."

• Through Hospital at Home, cutting edge, remote-monitoring technology accurately tracks patient status and progress. It also gives a predictive view of a patient's disease trajectory, making sure that any medical problems that could arise are detected early so that the clinical team can intervene immediately.
• Patients admitted to the Hospital at Home programme have access to an app that is linked to the remote-monitoring Biofourmis device that the patient wears on their arm. This continuously monitors multiple physiological signals and shares them in real time with the patient, the care team and the 24/7 control centre.

"Mom received all the care she needed. She was on a drip and a nurse came every morning and afternoon to bring and administer her medicine. The nurse was so good and very friendly. A physiotherapist also came to see her twice a day."

"Dr Govender also kept in regular contact with us while mom was admitted to Hospital at Home."

• Read more: Dr Govender uses "brilliant" Hospital at Home to treat patients

"I am really grateful that mom is a Discovery Health Medical Scheme member. That's why she had the option of using Hospital at Home. I hope that I would also be eligible to use Hospital at Home if I ever got sick!" adds Vijay.

Hospital at Home is a great option for eligible elderly patients

"My mom told us and her doctor that if she ever got sick again, she's not going to go to hospital. She said they must send nurses again to look after her at home," says Vijay.

"I really think that Hospital at Home is such a good option, especially for elderly patients."

• Keen to know more? Visit our website.
• Watch our video on Hospital at Home.