How the hospital-at-home program offers alternative care as demand surges

(Aging Untold) — As America ages and hospitals face unprecedented demand, a growing movement in medicine is bringing hospital-level care directly to your door.More than 30,000 patients have been treated from the comfort of their own beds through the hospital-at-home program. While it gained traction as a temporary pandemic fix, many in the industry say it has the potential to reshape the future of health care.How the program worksAt 75, Colleen Callahan prides herself on rarely getting sick. But in 2024, when she got bacterial pneumonia in both lungs, it stopped her in her tracks.“I never think that I’m as sick as I am. I just think I’ll bully my way through it. And I just, I couldn’t this time,” Callahan said.She ended up in the hospital, but just three days later the care team approached her with an unexpected proposition.“I was asked if I wanted to consider something new called digital hospital,” Callahan said.Operated by OSF Healthcare in Peoria, Illinois, OnCall Digital Hospital i