A practical hospital-to-home checklist
A good homecoming plan covers more than transportation. Think through medications and instructions, mobility, bathroom access, meals, personal care, equipment, follow-up appointments, overnight needs, who will be present, what family can realistically manage, and which tasks belong to another professional. This checklist helps organize those details before the person is home.
Before Leaving the Facility
Confirm the Discharge Information
Checklist:
If something in the discharge plan is unclear, ask the treating team before leaving rather than guessing at home.
Prepare the Home
Personal Care
Mobility and Transfers
Checklist:
If the person’s mobility is different from the discharge instructions or changes significantly, contact the appropriate healthcare professional rather than improvising a more difficult transfer.
Meals and Hydration Routines
Medication Routine
Follow the Discharge Instructions
Checklist:
Home-care medication reminders are not the same as medication administration, prescribing, medication reconciliation, or dose changes.
Who Will Be Present?
Schedule Follow-Up and Communication
Checklist:
When to Ask for Home Care Before Discharge
Confirm who will help after discharge
Review the checklist with the treating team and identify practical daily-living tasks that family or home care may need to cover. Eden can review the general support request but cannot confirm a start until the case is accepted.