Adjust with caregivers you trust with our Home After Hospitalization program

You may be visiting this page because your aging loved one has an upcoming, planned hospitalization, or they were recently hospitalized for an unexpected event such as a fall or other medical need. You may even be visiting because you did not expect that your aging loved one would need assistance after their hospitalization, but now you realize they do. If you are unsure and overwhelmed, or if you have a plan but want to confirm that you have identified every option, we are very glad to assist you. This page includes information about what to expect as your aging loved one leaves the hospital, their options as they return home and how to pay for them, and longer term options if their need for help remains. As you research options, we also recommend you visit our pages about 12 & 24-Hour Home Care, Safety and Supervision, and Overnight Care.

When you are informed that your aging loved one is going to be discharged home, you may feel mixed emotions. It is a positive event because it indicates that your aging loved one’s recovery is progressing. It is also a potentially stressful event for a variety of reasons. They are leaving the secure hospital environment, and you have uncertainties about their transition home. You may wonder how you are going to help them get into their house, as well as if they are going to be safe and able to resume their usual routine without incident. The hospital may have informed you that you will need to plan for 24-hour supervision before they are discharged home. In this scenario, if both of your aging parents are alive and one is returning home after a hospitalization, you may not feel confident that the other can completely or safely care for their spouse.

There are resources at the hospital to guide and assist you at discharge. Some may be more comprehensive than others, but in every situation it is important for you to understand what to expect and prepare your plan.