Decisions at Discharge

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At the time of your loved one’s discharge, there will be some very important decisions to be made.  Thinking through these areas in advance will help you prepare and make thoughtful, confident decisions.

Things to consider include:

• The building. Assess the physical features of your loved one’s intended living arrangement. Will they need a wheelchair? Are the doors wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair? If your loved one is going to assisted living, does it have the right care for your loved one’s condition(s)?
• Social resources. If your loved one lives alone, it may not be safe to move back home right away unless arrangements can be made to have helpers available. It will be important for you to realistically assess how much caregiving you are reasonably able to provide to your loved one and to decide on a setting where he or she will get the care he or she will need from family, friends and professionals.
• Financial matters. Many governmental and social service agencies offer help for free or for low cost. Some, but not all, assistance is covered by Medicare. A cost-effective way to get many types of assistance, such as meal preparation or toileting and dressing, is through a shared living arrangement such as an assisted living community or a board and care facility. Talk with the discharge planner to find out what types of assistance are available, given your loved one’s financial resources.