What should I expect when my loved one is discharged from the hospital or rehab?
Although many of our clients are excited to be heading home from a rehab or hospital stay, there are some things to consider as you make arrangements! The first few days home are usually a mix of relief, adjustment, and a little bit overwhelming. That’s completely normal.
Most people feel tired and need extra time to get their strength back. Here are a few additional things that will be different:
- Routines like bathing, cooking, or even getting dressed can take more effort than expected.
- Nurses, aides, or therapists are not nearby like they were.
- Medications may have changed
- Follow-up appointments will need to be scheduled
- Familiar equipment in the hospital or SNF has not arrived yet. New equipment or supplies that show up may need assembly or organizing.
- Grab bars may not be there.
- The bed or furniture at home is lower
- The bathroom is further away or even on a different level of the house. The toilet may even be lower.
- The shower has a lip to get over vs. a walk-in.
- Socialization through activities or other residents doesn’t happen with the same regularity and predictability.
- Emotional frustration due to difficulty adjusting.
Our goal isn’t just to help someone come home — it’s to help them stay home safely and confidently. These are a few things to consider before arranging your discharge so you can set your expectation AND your loved one’s expectation.
In our next blog post, we will identify a few ways home care can help support this transition! In the meantime If you have a loved one being discharged from rehab or the hospital, give us a call, and we can do our best to help you get prepared!
