Preparing for Hospital or Rehabilitation Facility Discharge

Will your loved one be able take a bath or shower, lift heavy items, or walk upstairs on their own, or do they require direct assistance?  If assistance is required, how much and how frequently?  Are you and/or family members prepared to help with care or rehabilitation? If yes, what is the division of labor, and how much assistance should be outsourced to professional caregivers? 

What care tasks are needed to render care, or is special training required to better assist your loved one?  If special care is required and you are unfamiliar with such tasks, be sure to ask for specific instruction from attending nursing staff before you leave the hospital or rehabilitation center. 

Will any special foods need to be purchased or prepared in advance?  If special food or meals are required, do you have easy access to such items? Do you have the necessary tools to prepare the food? For example, if you loved one requires a liquid diet, do you have a blender with associated items or tools to prepare each meal? Can meals be prepared in advance? If yes, who will prepare and store them, and for how long will they remain edible?

Will you be able to ensure the correct medication and dosage is taken at the right time?  Especially when required to take half a dose, and the medication is in pill form, are you literally able to divide the pill? 

If possible, ask for a visual chart or detailed instructions explaining all medications, and when each should be taken. Does the medication need to be taken with a meal? An empty stomach? Will you need to wake up your loved one to take medication? If yes, who will be responsible for staying to wake your loved one up to administer the medication?

Be sure anyone helping to provide care is aware of possible side effects from the medications. Can the medication cause dizziness, drowsiness, or other side effects that will require close monitoring? If so, a division of labor must be implemented to ensure someone is available to monitor your loved one.

When will medications need to be refilled? If taking multiple medications, chances are very good refills will come and different times. Who will be responsible for monitoring, picking up, or coordinating refill deliveries?

If needing to return to the hospital or a specific doctor for follow-up appointments, who will be responsible for coordinating appointments and transportation?  If receiving direct in-home care, who will be responsible for making necessary arrangements for appointments, preparing your loved one and the home for the arrival of the medical professional? 

In addition to particular foods to accommodate a special diet, you will most likely need a list of items to shop for to provide direct assistance. Some items might be covered in full or in part by insurance while others might be an out-of-pocket expense. If so, who is going to pay for the necessary equipment and supplies? Who is going to pick it up? If it is something to be reimbursed by insurance, who will be responsible for turning in necessary receipts and paperwork to insurance in order to collect reimbursement? Who will be responsible for cleaning and sanitizing the equipment?

What changes are needed to ensure home safety?  Trip hazards such as loose rugs and cords need to be removed or secured so your loved ones don’t trip and fall.  Does furniture need to be removed to accommodate a new medical bed or large equipment?  

Where should important information such as medication schedules and emergency contacts be posted for family members and caregivers to reference?

Who will be trusted with managing your loved one’s finances? This can include correspondence with the hospital and/or rehab facilities, Medicare and insurance companies.

If receiving retirement payments of any kind, who will be responsible for balancing checking accounts and paying bills?  There may be additional financial issues to include rent, mortgage payment, taxes, home maintenance and repairs.