Coming home from the hospital is usually the moment everyone has been waiting for. But for many older adults, the first few days at home can be more challenging than expected.
Someone who was independent before a hospitalization may come home weaker, more tired, or less steady on their feet. At the same time, families suddenly find themselves juggling medications, meals, appointments, household responsibilities, and concerns about leaving their loved one alone.
As Physical Therapists and owners of American Angels Home Care, we’ve seen how much of a difference a little preparation can make. For families throughout the Lehigh Valley, planning ahead can make the transition from hospital to home safer and far less stressful
Here are five things worth thinking about before your loved one comes home.
1. Make the Most-Used Areas of the Home Safer
You don’t need to completely rearrange the house. Focus on where your loved one will spend most of their time.
Clear walking paths, remove loose rugs or clutter, improve lighting, and make sure commonly used items are easy to reach. Pay particular attention to the path between the bedroom and bathroom, where someone may be walking when tired or during the night.
If a walker or other mobility device will be used, make sure there’s enough room to use it properly.
2. Plan for the Everyday Things
Families naturally focus on the medical side of coming home, but everyday tasks are often where people need the most help.
Who will prepare meals? Pick up groceries? Do laundry? Change the sheets? Take out the trash? Help with a shower? Drive to an appointment?
Tasks that were simple before a hospitalization can suddenly require much more energy—or may not be safe to do alone.
Thinking through a typical day can help identify where assistance may be needed.
3. Get Clear on Medications and Follow-Up Appointments
Medication routines frequently change during a hospital stay. Before coming home, make sure someone understands what should be taken, when it should be taken, and whether any previous medications have been changed or discontinued.
It’s also helpful to put follow-up appointments on the calendar immediately and determine who will provide transportation.
The first few weeks after a hospitalization can include multiple appointments, and having a plan ahead of time can eliminate unnecessary stress.
4. Expect That Strength and Endurance May Be Different
One thing we learned repeatedly as Physical Therapists is that being medically ready to leave the hospital doesn’t necessarily mean someone is immediately back to their previous level of function.
Even a relatively short hospital stay can leave an older adult feeling weaker or more easily fatigued.
Pay attention to how your loved one is actually functioning at home. Are they having difficulty getting up from a chair? Are they holding onto furniture while walking? Are they exhausted after getting dressed or taking a shower?
Those little observations can tell you a lot about how much support they may need during recovery.
5. Have a Plan for When Family Can’t Be There
This is often the piece families don’t think about until they’re already overwhelmed.
You may be able to stay with Mom for the first day or two—but what happens when you have to return to work? Who will be there while you’re gone?
Having some extra support doesn’t have to mean giving up independence or committing to around-the-clock care.
Sometimes it’s simply having someone there for a few hours to prepare a meal, provide companionship, help with household tasks, offer mobility assistance, give medication reminders, or drive to an appointment.
A Little Help Can Make the Transition Home Much Easier
At American Angels Home Care, we’re a locally owned Lehigh Valley home care company founded by two Physical Therapists with decades of healthcare experience.
Our goal is to help older adults remain safe, comfortable, and independent at home while giving their families some much-needed peace of mind.
Whether your loved one needs temporary assistance after a hospitalization or surgery, or you’re beginning to think about more ongoing support, we’re happy to talk with you about what would make life at home easier.
American Angels Home Care
Compassionate, flexible home care throughout the Lehigh Valley
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