Discharge from the Royal Alex, the Grey Nuns, the Misericordia, the Glenrose: it happens fast, often on a Thursday afternoon, and the family is rarely ready. Readmissions in the first two weeks are common and mostly avoidable.
Ask before you leave
- Which medications are new, which have changed dose, and which have stopped. Get it written down.
- Who is following up, and when. A phone number, not a department.
- Whether home care has been referred. If the answer is no, ask why not.
- What the warning signs are that mean come back.
- Whether your parent can manage stairs, the bathroom and getting out of bed alone tonight.
The first night
Someone should be there the first night. If it cannot be family, we can be. The first 48 hours are when medication confusion, dehydration and falls happen.
How we help
Hospital-to-home care is usually daily visits for the first fortnight, tapering as your parent gets stronger. We reconcile the medication list with the pharmacy, do the food shop, and phone you if something does not look right.
