Coming Home From the Hospital: A Family Checklist

Before discharge: ask the right questions

Discharge can feel rushed. Ask the care team to slow down and go through the plan with you, and write the answers down.

• What medications should be taken, and which ones have changed or stopped?
• What activities are safe, and which should be avoided, and for how long?
• Which symptoms mean we should call the doctor, and which mean we should call 911?
• When are the follow-up appointments, and who do we call with questions?
• Will any equipment be needed at home, such as a walker or shower chair?

Get the home ready

• Clear walking paths and remove loose rugs.
• If stairs will be hard, set up a bedroom on the main floor.
• Put commonly used items within easy reach.
• Fill new prescriptions and stock simple, nutritious meals.
• Arrange for someone to be there on the first day and night home.

The first week at home

Recovery isn't a straight line. Expect good days and tiring days, and keep an eye on the basics.

• Medications: give them exactly as listed and keep a simple log.
• Eating and drinking: small, regular meals and enough fluids support healing.
• Mobility: help with walking and getting in and out of bed or the shower until strength returns.
• Wounds: watch for increasing redness, swelling, warmth or drainage, and report them.
• Follow-ups: keep every appointment and bring the medication list.

When to get extra help

If your loved one lives alone, if family can't take time off, or if care involves tasks like wound care, extra support at home can make recovery safer. Many families arrange a caregiver for the first days home and add nurse visits when the doctor orders skilled care.

This article is general information, not medical advice. Always follow your loved one's discharge instructions and their doctor's guidance, and call 911 in an emergency.