Guide for Families
Coming Home From Hospital: A Family Checklist
Discharge often happens faster than families expect. A little planning before your family member leaves hospital makes the first week at home much safer.
Before discharge, ask the care team
- What changed while they were in hospital, and what should we watch for?
- Which medications are new, stopped or changed?
- Do they need equipment at home, such as a walker, raised toilet seat or shower chair?
- Have they been referred to Ontario Health atHome for publicly funded care, and how many hours were approved?
- When and where are the follow-up appointments?
- Who do we call if we have questions after they get home?
Prepare the home
- Clear walkways and remove loose rugs
- Put everyday items within easy reach
- Consider setting up a bed on the main floor if stairs are hard
- Add night lights between the bedroom and the bathroom
- Stock easy meals and plenty of fluids
Plan the first week
The first few days are usually the hardest. Arrange for someone to be there on the day they come home and, if possible, for the first nights. If publicly funded visits don't cover enough hours, private home care can fill the gaps until your family member is stronger.
