Discharge moves fast. Someone hands you a folder, says a lot of words, and suddenly you’re in the parking lot wondering what you missed.
Slow it down. Ask these six before you sign.
The Six
- What exactly am I watching for? Get the specific warning signs that mean “call us” versus “go to the ER.”
- What’s the medication schedule — in plain hours? Not “twice daily.” 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Written down.
- Who do I call after 5 p.m.? There’s almost always an after-hours line. Get the number before you need it.
- What equipment do we need at home, and who orders it? Beds, walkers, commodes — find out what’s covered and what you’re arranging yourself.
- What can they not do yet? Stairs, lifting, driving, bathing alone. Know the limits so you can set the room up around them.
- When’s the first follow-up, and is it booked? Don’t leave without a date.
Write the answers down in the room. Memory fails in a stressful moment, and “I’ll remember” rarely holds up by the time you’re home.
Our guide to caring for an elderly parent after discharge expands on the home-setup side of these answers.
If a hospital bed is on the equipment list, the buyer’s guide helps you choose, and a bed like the Aura Premium covers the safe-transfer and positioning needs most discharges call for.
Ask the six before you leave. The parking lot is a bad place to realize you don’t know who to call.
