A trip to the hospital, especially if unexpected, can be overwhelming for you and your loved ones. As you and your medical team focus on your treatment while in the hospital, you may not be thinking about what happens when it’s time to go home.
Your transition from hospital to home is important for a good and speedy recovery and may even reduce your need for another hospital stay. So, it’s important to plan your discharge and ask questions so you are clear about your care and to ensure a safe transition.
Hospital Discharge Checklist
Here are some questions to ask yourself when preparing for your hospital discharge:
1.SAFETY – Is my home a safe place for recovery?
Consider the number of stairs, or other challenges inside your home and make a plan on how you will handle with them. Do you have someone to assist you? If not, perhaps having someone come in a few hours a week will help you to recover safe and comfortably at home. Contact CANES to find out about our at home services.
2. TRANSPORTATION – How will I get home from the hospital?
It’s important to plan your way home before it’s time to leave. Ask a family member or friend, to pick you up, ask hospital staff about arranging a taxi or contact CANES.
3. FOOD – Do I have everything I need at home?
While recovering, doing errands may be impossible or extremely difficult. If you need some things ask a friend or family member to bring what you need to your home before you arrive. Consider your meals for the first week or so of your recovery and plan who will help you with shopping or meal preparation.
4. MEDICATION – Do I have all the medications I need?
Has there been changes made to your medications during your hospitalization? Ask for a medication schedule from the hospital before you go. Make sure you’re clear everything you need to know before you head home, and that you have everything you need.
5. FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENTS – What is my follow-up care?
Ask about follow-up care with your doctors. And request that they write down all the important information and appointments for you.
6. EQUIPMENT – Do I need any medical equipment at home?
Will you need a few things such as commode, a shower chair, a walker? If so, talk to the hospital staff to ensure leave with any necessary equipment.
7. DAILY ROUTINES — Will I need to make changes or adjustments?
Be sure you’re clear on after-care instructions such as medication changes, dietary restrictions, or activities you should avoid. Also, note of any activities you need to add to your daily routines such as exercises, physical therapy or other post-hospitalization care.
8. HOUSEHOLD CHORES – Will I need help at home?
Managing a home after a hospitalization can be hard—especially if you live alone. Having a bit of extra help around the home even once a week can help you manage safely and with less stress. Contact CANES and ask about our services we have many that can really help you around the home.
9. CARE MANAGEMENT – Should I get a little help managing my care?
Being in the hospital can be disorienting and it’s super common to need some extra help managing while you get back on your feet. Asking a loved one to help you with planning your discharge, future doctor’s appointments, helping you make decisions, organizing medication schedules and communicating medical team can take away the stress and confusion so you can focus on getting better.
10. CANES — Do I need a little extra help?
CANES is here to help you when it’s time to come home from the hospital — HOME AT LAST.
If you're 55 years of age or older, we'll pick you up from the hospital, and assist your way home, FOR FREE
Trained Personal Support Workers (PSW's) meet you in your hospital room at planned discharge time, or if the patient is in the emergency department, they are met there.
Once discharged from the hospital, a Home at Last PSW will accompany the patient to an awaiting vehicle.
We will then accompany the senior to their local Community Pharmacy, while assisting with any needed supplies before the trip home.
Once arriving at home, the PSW will assist the client to settling in their home safely.
The PSW can also stay with the client until family arrives or until the client feels able to manage on their own.
Learn more about HOME AT LAST https://www.canes.on.ca/services/home-last
