Hospital Discharge Planning

So, you’re being discharged from the hospital… now what?

Unlike planned stays in the hospital for something like a knee replacement or cancer treatment, an accident, fall, or stroke can land you in the hospital unexpectedly. In such situations, you don’t get the chance to make arrangements for your recuperation in advance. In any case, the actual discharge process from the hospital can involve some tough decisions concerning housing, rehabilitation, and long-term care.

If you know you are going to be hospitalized, chances are you’ve already got a discharge plan in place. If you are caught off-guard and did not have the time to pre-plan, questions may come up, such as:

• Will I be able to go home?
• If I can go home, who is going to help me?
• Can I rely on family and friends to do it all, or should I get outside help?
• How do I get outside help, and which is right for me?
• If I can’t go home and have to go to a rehabilitation center, which one do I choose?

Hospitals are discharging patients much more quickly now than they did for previous generations. However, much of the care associated with a hospital stay is covered by Medicare, including rehabilitation in a skilled nursing facility, a senior living community, an adult family home, or possibly even in your own home with a home healthcare agency.

There are many key players associated with a hospital discharge. The hospital physician will make a recommendation based on the level of care you will require during your recovery. The discharge planner, usually a social worker or nurse employed by the hospital, will help you through the process of moving on to the next step in your care. A housing & care advisor can help define housing and care options that will fit the physician’s recommendation and meet the timeline set by the discharge planner. A private case or care manager may be brought into the process to define a plan of care for you within the recommendations made by your physician.

The discharge planner’s role is defined by Medicare as “finding a ‘safe and adequate’ place for you to go after leaving the hospital”. Sometimes that means returning home with the support of family or skilled help to provide assistance. If you cannot go directly home, your choices will consist of places that can provide follow-up care, that have bed availability (if needed), and that will provide care under your insurance plan.

If you need the help of a Housing & Care Advisor for you or a loved one, call CHOICE Advisory Services. We take pride in providing you with options that fit your specific care needs, location preferences, and social preferences. A CHOICE Advisor will help you every step of the way, from accompanying you on facility tours to answering any questions you may have about the process. We are available by phone or by email, every day of the week. Call 1-800-361-0381 or email bestcare@choiceadvisory.com today!