Hospital care: When can my parent go home?

When a loved one is in hospital the first thing we most often want to know is " When can they go home?"

If your parent has undergone surgery or a medical procedure they will need to be discharged in the company of a family member or carer. Take note of any medical instructions especially those concerning medications.

A doctor should explain possible changes in your parent's physical capabilities along with what to expect over time as your parent recovers.

For an ageing family member with complex health care problems returning home from hospital care can be difficult. As important as it is to find out all you can about your family member's health condition it is just as vital to have an understanding of what to expect when they go home.

In this article

• Being involved in the discharge process
• Assessing your ageing parent's needs
• Arranging help at home or nursing home care
• Organising home care aids or equipment
• Things to consider before going home

Being involved in the discharge process

Carers play an essential role in the discharge process and often have to take on extra care responsibilities after a hospital visit. This could be for a number of days or weeks. A doctor will discharge your family member when they feel they no longer require high level hospital care.

Discharge from hospital doesn't mean a person has fully recovered. Many people require further care at home, in a rehabilitation setting or nursing home. Being involved in the discharge process will help you arrange the most appropriate care for a loved one before they leave hospital.

Assessing your ageing parent's needs

An aged care assessment team (ACAT) may assess your parent's care needs. Carers should be involved in the discharge process and ACAT assessment as they can supply vital information to the discharge team.

This could be information about living arrangements, family relationships and your own caregiving capabilities. ACAT will determine the level of care your parent requires and help you arrange home care services or residential care.

Arranging help at home or nursing home care

Whilst it is important to start planning your family members' return home keep in mind that not everything will go as planned. In some cases you may feel that you are being forced to make decisions that you are not comfortable with.

Hospitals often want to free up beds. You could disagree with the social worker's choice of a nursing home bed or feel like you are being forced to make a decision under pressure. Your family member may also want to go home when the necessary help is not available or they may have unrealistic ideas about how well they can manage at home.

Try to be realistic about your own caregiving responsibilities and your parent's care needs. A parent may refuse home help or nursing home care and argue that they are perfectly capable at home alone.

If this is the case ask a health care professional to explain to your parent what they can and cannot do. Reinforce the need for help to get them back on their feet sooner. In many cases home care assistance or nursing home care is only temporary. 

Organising home care aids and equipment

Your parents may also dismiss the need for home care aids or equipment in the home. Be patient, respect their need for independence whilst encouraging them to use home care aids for the short term.

Most people do not realise how much assistance they need until they arrive home and find that simple tasks like toileting without the necessary equipment can be far more complicated than they anticipated.

An occupational therapist is the best person to advise you about what home care aids and equipment your loved one will need when they return home.

Things to consider before going home

• Medications: What medications must my parent take? Have you arranged prescriptions? You will need to make a follow up appointment with a doctor to ensure the continuation of any medication changes.
   
• Transport: How will my parent get home? Will they need a wheelchair? Walking stick? How well can my parent transfer in and out of the car?
   
• Nursing care: What kind of nursing care does my parent require?Do I need to stay overnight with my parent or arrange home nursing?
   
• Shopping: Is there an adequate supply of food in the house? Do I need to organise Meals on Wheels or a private meal service?
   
• Home care aids and equipment: What kind of equipment do I need to rent or buy? Does the house need to be modified in any way to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers?
   
• Follow up appointments and tests: Do I need to arrange for follow up tests, procedures or specialist appointments?
   

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