Hospital to Home Transition Checklist for Caregivers.
Transitioning a loved one from the hospital to home is a significant and often emotional process. This moment can be filled with relief, anticipation, and anxiety, both for the patient and their family.
This post provides caregivers with a detailed, step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth and stress-free transition. By preparing your home, organizing necessary supplies, staying in close communication with healthcare providers, and following the checklists provided, you can help your loved one feel safe, comfortable, and supported during this important time.
This guide is designed to address both the practical aspects of the transition and your loved one’s emotional needs, ensuring that they receive the best possible care as they move from the hospital back into the comfort of home.
1. Prepare Your Home
As you prepare your home, keep in mind that your loved one may be feeling anxious about leaving the hospital’s controlled environment. The prospect of relying on home-based care might be intimidating for them. By setting up the necessary medical equipment, organizing supplies, and making the home feel safe and welcoming, you can help ease their concerns. They’ll feel more confident knowing that everything is ready for their return.
- Determine required supplies and equipment with the help of the nursing staff, discharge planner, and physician.
- Choose a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) company within your insurance network.
- Arrange for home care supplies and equipment delivery before discharge.
- Set up designated storage areas for daily, weekly, and monthly medical supplies.
- Store at least a month’s worth of necessary supplies.
- Learn how to operate all medical equipment; the DME company and hospital staff will help train you.
- Conduct a home safety check (often done by the DME or home care company).
- Install power strips if needed, and ensure your home’s electrical system can handle any medical equipment.
- Arrange for a backup power source (like batteries or a generator) if life support equipment is needed.
- Install or test smoke detectors; replace batteries if necessary.
- Ensure there’s a working fire extinguisher in your home.
- Make sure your home has a working telephone.
- Set up or buy a baby monitor.
- Have the following items ready:
- Paper towels
- Hand sanitizer
- Plastic storage containers
- Flashlight with batteries
- Notebook or journal for recording information and questions
2. Get Ready Before Coming Home
Before discharge day, your loved one might experience a mix of excitement and nervousness about coming home. They could be worried about how they’ll manage outside of the hospital and if everything they need will be ready. You can alleviate some of their stress by taking care of certain tasks ahead of time, like arranging transportation and gathering necessary prescriptions. This will allow them to focus on their recovery rather than the logistics.
Checklist
- Become CPR-certified.
- Arrange a ride home from the hospital.
- Ensure the right transportation is available and ready.
- Get the doctor’s written prescriptions and fill them ahead of time, if possible.
- Make a list of doctors’ and hospitals’ phone numbers; know who to call and when.
- Charge and prepare any equipment needed for the trip from the hospital to home.
- Pack a travel bag with all necessary items for discharge day (refer to the suggested travel bag supply list).
3. Stay in Touch with Your Home Health Agency
Your loved one might be concerned about the continuity of care once they leave the hospital. They’ve grown accustomed to the constant monitoring and support provided by hospital staff, and the transition to home care can feel uncertain. Keeping the lines of communication open with your home health agency and ensuring that they are ready to provide the necessary care can give your loved one peace of mind. Knowing that a professional will be there to support them at home can make the transition less daunting.
Checklist
- Notify your home health agency of the expected discharge date and time.
- Arrange for your home healthcare nurse to help with transport or meet you at home.
4. Be Prepared on Discharge Day
On discharge day, your loved one may feel a combination of relief at going home and anxiety about what lies ahead. With its round-the-clock care, the hospital environment is a safety net they’ll be leaving behind. Being well-prepared for discharge day, reviewing care instructions, and ensuring that everything is in order can help your loved one feel more secure about leaving the hospital. Your organization and attentiveness will reassure them they’re in good hands as they return home.
Checklist
- Bring the necessary transportation to the hospital.
- Take the travel bag with you to the hospital.
- Ask the hospital staff to review all aspects of your loved one’s care before discharge.
- Review all medications and ask questions if anything is unclear.
- Review all discharge orders and ask questions if needed.
You Can Do This!
Bringing your loved one home from the hospital is a big step, and it’s natural to feel a mix of emotions—excitement, relief, maybe even a little bit of worry. But take a deep breath—you’ve got this! By following these checklists and preparing ahead of time, you’re setting up the best possible environment for their recovery and well-being. Every step you take is a step closer to helping them feel safe, cared for, and comfortable in their own space again.
Remember, you’re not alone in this. You’ve got the support of healthcare professionals and, most importantly, your own strength and love. You’re doing an amazing job, and your loved one is lucky to have you by their side. Keep going—you’ve got this!