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CARING FOR ELDERLY

Hospital discharge for elderly: what you need to know

Discharging an elderly loved one can be stressful, but with the right information, you can navigate this transition.

November 12, 2024

Elderly lady with healthcare professional
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If your elderly loved one has been in hospital and is ready to be discharged, it’s very common to have mixed feelings about what comes next.

It’s often a big relief for someone to come home from hospital, and back to their own environment where they feel comfortable and surrounded by their own things. But if they live independently, it can be a major concern for them, as well as family members and friends - especially worrying about how they’ll manage and what can be done to help keep them safe and well.

In this article, we share some steps you can take before an older relative is discharged from the hospital to ensure they have the support they need at home, and you have peace of mind when you can’t be with them.

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The key challenges in elderly hospital discharge

Organising a last-minute hospital discharge? This may sound familiar:

You're in the middle of cooking dinner, preparing for a parent-teacher conference, and your phone rings. It's the hospital, informing you that your mother is ready to be discharged. You're caught off guard, unprepared, and feeling overwhelmed. Your mother's house isn't warm, there's no food, and you haven't been involved in any discharge planning.

This scenario is all too common for family caregivers. The suddenness of hospital discharges can be stressful and disruptive, leaving caregivers unsure of where to start in preparing for their loved one's return.

Hospital discharge is often more than just a simple pickup and drop-off. It's about ensuring your loved one has everything they need to thrive at home.

 

Adult daughter with older adult mum

 

Navigating discharge planning for family caregivers

Care needs can change significantly following hospitalisation and it is natural to feel unprepared about this. You may be concerned about your loved one’s ability to manage their health conditions independently.

Family members may feel unprepared to take on the increased responsibilities of caring for a loved one who has recently been hospitalised.  It often involves coordinating various aspects of care, such as administering medication, providing personal care, and managing appointments.

If they live alone, concerns about falls, medication errors, or worsening symptoms are common.

Did you know that over 1.4 million people over the age of 65 are readmitted to hospital within 30 days of discharge in the UK? This highlights the importance of proper care coordination.

Nicola Murgatroyd
Founder of Myra

For some people, discharge can mean a transition to a different care setting, such as a rehabilitation facility or home care. This can be unsettling, as family members may worry about the quality of care their loved one will receive. The disruption and emotional toll from being in a different environment, and away from home comforts can impact your loved one too.

 

Steps for preparing an elderly loved one for hospital discharge

If someone likely needs support or additional help once they’re back home, they can only be discharged from the hospital when a plan for that care is in place. For an elderly person that lives independently, and in many cases alone, there needs to be a discharge plan so that they can safely return home. 

Medical jargon can be confusing, and carers may not know what questions to ask to ensure a smooth transition. Many carers are unaware of the available services for recovery and ongoing care, from physiotherapy to medical equipment.

This can feel daunting if you are unfamiliar with the discharge process, although there are services such as the Myra Hospital Discharge app that can help by providing support with local services, home adjustments, and access to essential resources.

Myra Hospital Discharge app


Caregivers often find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer number of available services and resources, making it difficult to identify the most appropriate options for their loved one's needs.

Some older people leaving the hospital may need assistance with aspects of daily living and require the help of carers several times a day. Others might not need any formal care once they are discharged.

Mobile phone app to organise home care

The process begins with a discharge plan where you’ll agree care arrangements with the nurse or doctor responsible.

 

Hospital discharge checklist

A hospital discharge plan usually includes things like:

  • The details and contact information of who will be managing any care requirements
  • Details of when and how often they’ll need care and/or support
  • What treatment and/or care is needed when they get home

 

As a family carer, planning ahead can make all the difference. While hospital staff may handle the medical side of things, you’ll likely be responsible for ensuring a smooth transition to home care. It’s important to take time to understand what care your loved one will need once they leave the hospital.

Some of the practical considerations that will usually be discussed with hospital staff, the patient and their family include:

  • That they have clothes to travel home from hospital in
  • That appropriate transport home is organised
  • Any immediate care needs once they’re home are arranged e.g. help with shopping or other domestic tasks
  • The medications required are explained fully and there is a supply to take home
  • That they are comfortable using any new equipment provided e.g. mobility aids
  • Their GP is informed about the hospital discharge.

 

A personal alarm provides reassurance that help is easily accessible in an emergency, especially if your loved one lives alone. It can also be an important part of a discharge plan, helping them return home sooner, as health professionals will feel confident they can safely continue their recovery.

 

Lady taking blood pressure

 

Available support and resources for elderly home care

Elderly people leaving the hospital to go back home may have a range of different care needs and require varying levels of support, including:

  • Help with mobility and more personal or sensitive tasks like bathing, getting dressed or eating
  • Keeping on top of daily chores and housework, for example laundry, cooking, and cleaning
  • Managing their money, bills, and other services
  • Food shopping, collecting medicines and things that mean they’ll need transport or help with heavy lifting
  • Supporting their wellbeing, for example, providing emotional support if they’re more anxious or experiencing any challenges with their mental health.

If the elderly person is expected to have some ongoing care needs, they will need a care needs assessment from your local council shortly after discharge in their home, to see what their needs are and what can be arranged to meet them.

In some cases, family members, friends or neighbours might be able to fulfil some or all those needs, or it might be that professional care assistance is needed. Depending on the circumstances, there may be help available with funding care or it might be that private care needs to be arranged.

Home care can range from regular visits from carers to help with some of the things that the elderly person now finds more challenging to do, right through to live-in care for those with more complex needs.

It can be helpful to consider the following:

Care plans

Your loved one may benefit from more frequent visits. Agreeing with family members a timetable or care rota can avoid conflict and ensure your loved one has the support they need during the week.

Care management tools

Tools for tracking medications, managing appointments, and supporting ongoing recovery, making it easier to balance your caregiving role.

Local care resources

Are there home care services, local support groups, and healthcare providers in your area who can support you and your loved one? For example, there may be a pharmacy delivery or food delivery service in your area that can help.

Home adjustments

Will home adaptations such as ramps or grab rails support their return from hospital? Home adjustments can create a safe, comfortable environment that supports recovery and independence. Carers can often struggle with understanding what types of equipment and mobility aids are available and whether to rent or purchase.

Elderly man with walking stick


The stay in the hospital or medical factors might mean that they are more at risk of a fall than before. This could be the case if they have become frailer, have started to have balance issues, or even changes to their medication since they were last living at home. It can be a real worry for the older person themselves, as well as for their loved ones, as staying at home and staying well is so important. A fall detection alarm and home monitoring system can provide reassurance when you cannot be with them.

 

Support for family members and unpaid carers

Navigating the hospital discharge process for an elderly loved one can feel overwhelming, but with the right preparation and support, you can help them make a successful and safe transition back home. From creating a discharge plan to arranging home adjustments and securing support services, each step can provide peace of mind for you and greater independence for them.

Remember, you don’t have to face these responsibilities alone. There are resources and apps, as well as devices like personal alarms that can make daily life safer and more manageable for everyone involved. Taking the time now to plan can reduce stress and help avoid unexpected complications, ensuring your loved one feels cared for and secure at home.

Browse our resources for unpaid carers, offering wellbeing and carer advice and guidance.


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