Being DISCHARGED? Allow Our Adult Family Home Care for you!

Will your loved one be able take a bath or shower, lift heavy items, walk upstairs on their own, or do they require direct assistance?  If assistance is required, how much and how frequently?  Are you and/or family members prepared to help with care or rehabilitation? If yes, what is the division of labor?  How much assistance should be outsourced?  

What tasks are needed to render care?  Is special training required?  If yes, be sure to ask for specific instruction from nursing staff before you leave the hospital or rehabilitation center.  

If the patient requires a special diet, do you need to purchase or prepare food in advance?  Do you have the necessary tools to prepare the food?  For example, do you have a blender to prepare particular meals?  Can meals be prepared in advance?  How long will they remain edible? 

Who is going to monitor and ensure the correct medication, dosage, and time?  

Does the medication need to be taken with a meal?  An empty stomach? Will you need to wake up your loved one to take medication?  If yes, who will be responsible for waking your loved one to administer the medication?

Be sure anyone helping to provide care is aware of possible side effects from the medications. Can the medication cause dizziness, drowsiness, or other side effects that require close monitoring?  If so, a division of labor must be implemented to ensure someone is available to monitor your loved one.

When will medications need to be refilled? If taking multiple medications, chances are very good refills will come and different times. Who will be responsible for monitoring, picking up, or coordinating refill deliveries?

If needing to return to the hospital or a doctor office for follow-up appointments, who will be responsible for coordinating appointments and transportation?  

Who will be responsible for shopping for special foods or equipment?  Are they covered by insurance or is the cost an out-of-pocket expense.  If out-of-pocket, who is going to pay?  If something is going to be reimbursed by insurance, who will be responsible for turning in receipts and filing paperwork to collect reimbursement?  Who will be responsible for cleaning and sanitizing the equipment?

What changes need to be made at home to ensure a safe environment?  Trip hazards such as loose rugs and cords need to be removed or secured so your loved ones don’t trip and fall.  Does furniture need to be removed to accommodate a new medical bed or large equipment?  

Where should important information such as medication schedules and emergency contacts be posted for family members and caregivers to reference?

Who will be trusted with managing your loved one’s finances?  This can include correspondence with the hospital, rehab facilities, doctor offices, Medicare, and insurance companies. 

If receiving retirement payments of any kind, who will be responsible for balancing checking accounts and paying bills?  There may be additional financial issues to include possible rent or a mortgage payment, taxes, insurance, utilities, home maintenance, and repairs.