When your loved one is in the hospital, for either a planned procedure or an unplanned emergency, it is easy to become inundated with information. Not only are you trying to keep track of how your loved one is feeling and recovering, but you are also in communication with their physician, surgeon, therapists, and nursing team. There is a lot of information coming at you fast, and just when you think you might be getting a handle on it, a social worker comes in to talk about discharge planning.

While everyone is eager to get your loved one home so they can recover in the place where they feel most comfortable, there is a lot to do before they can safely leave the hospital. Taking discharge planning one step at a time can help reduce stress. Here’s what to consider as you begin preparing your loved one to leave the hospital.

Meet with the hospital discharge planner

Your loved one’s discharge from a hospital visit begins days before their planned discharge date. A discharge planner, typically a social worker or another trained professional, will meet with the family designee to discuss the discharge plans. During the initial meeting, the discharge planner will talk about potential discharge dates and learn more from you about:

• What support systems, if any, the senior has in place.
• What you and your loved one are worried about regarding leaving the hospital.
• Resources and services in the community that you can contact to set up support.

When you meet with the discharge planner, take notes. You will likely forget small details if you don’t write them down amid all the information you receive during the meeting.

Ensure you have the discharge planner’s contact information, including their email address, so you can send any follow-up questions or concerns after your meeting.

Understand that you will probably meet with the discharge planner daily until discharge.

Review the care plan and medical instructions

Part of the discharge planning process is understanding what your loved one is going to need when they leave the hospital. Your discharge planner will walk you through the recommendations from your loved one’s medical team, including their surgeon, specialist, physician, and therapist. Depending on the reason for your loved one’s hospital visit, you might find information about:

• Upcoming follow-up visits and therapy visit recommendations.
• Prescription schedule.
• Wound care instructions.
• Restorative exercises.
• Dietary needs.
• Signs of an emergency, or when to contact the doctor ASAP.

You will receive a copy of these instructions, and they may be updated before discharge. Take notes and ask questions if you need clarification.

Consider going home vs. going to other levels of care

Not all seniors who are discharged from the hospital are cleared to go straight home. Instead, many older adults are encouraged to continue their recovery in a skilled nursing facility in order to get strong enough to return home safely. Other seniors are told that returning home is not a safe option at all, and family members need to begin exploring other long-term senior living options, such as assisted living.

This choice of where to go next can often be the most stressful part of the discharge process. You are suddenly searching for a senior living community in the area that can care for your loved one and has availability, and you only have a few days to make it happen.

This is when it can be valuable to bring in a professional who can do most of the work for you, giving you a list of vetted senior living communities that meet your loved one’s needs, budget, and preferences. A senior care advisor provides services at no cost to family members. They will meet with you at the hospital or over the phone to learn more about the discharge recommendations, your loved one’s challenges, and your plans for the short and long term. Then, they use their knowledge and relationships with senior living communities in your area to identify a few that meet all the necessary criteria.

Senior care advisors can even accompany you on a tour of potential communities or spend time with you afterward to discuss what you observed and address any questions you may still have. Most senior care advisors will check in with you regularly in order to ensure you are making your most confident decision, even after your loved one has been discharged to the senior living community.

If you’re looking for senior care options in your area after a loved one’s hospitalization, contact your local Oasis Senior Advisor for expert guidance.

Organize support

Now that you know when your loved one will be discharged and the recommendations for their care after the hospital, it is time to start getting the pieces in place for a successful discharge. If possible, begin working on these steps immediately. You’ll also want to delegate tasks to other family members, including those who might live far away but can be helpful over the phone or by email.

Depending on your loved one’s needs, you might need to complete these tasks:

• Setting up follow-up appointments and transportation.
• Ordering medical supplies, including any durable medical equipment.
• Getting prescriptions from the pharmacy.
• Setting up services with Meals on Wheels or another meal delivery service if your loved one is returning home. 
• Stocking the fridge and cabinets with easy-to-make meals and snack options.
• Scheduling home care or home health care visits as prescribed.
• Contacting the senior living community (if your loved one isn’t returning home) to determine what you need to bring when your loved one moves, including any medical history or medication records, clothing, comfort items, etc.

Remember, if you’re working with a senior care advisor, they can be an invaluable resource in helping you get organized for the move to a senior living community. They can provide you with options for moving companies, home organizers, and more.

Watch for warning signs of complications

Once your loved one has left the hospital, your focus shifts to avoiding readmission. You want your loved one to recover successfully and not develop any secondary infections, have a fall, or experience other complications that can bring them back to a hospital setting.

Keep your eyes peeled for these potential red flags, and follow up with their physician immediately:

• Confusion or acute disorientation.
• Swelling in the lower extremities.
• Redness or irritation at any suture sites.
• Poor balance or near falls.
• Not taking medications as scheduled.
• Experiencing unpleasant side effects from medications.
• Poor appetite.
• Skipping physical therapy, occupational therapy, or physician appointments.
• A new cough or fever.
• Unmanaged pain.

Slow and Steady: Recovering after a hospital visit

It’s important to remember that recovery from a hospital visit can take longer for older adults. The deconditioning that occurs when individuals are sedentary in the hospital, in addition to any medication or anesthesia side effects, can slow down their recovery. Stay patient and supportive, taking note of the small victories. Observe and celebrate their progress. Slow and steady wins the race, especially when it comes to post-hospital recovery.