How should I prepare for discharge before I am admitted to the hospital?
First and foremost, arrange to have someone pick you up when you are discharged, or let the hospital know that you will be needing transportation home. Ask your doctor what kind of help he would recommend that you have once you do reach home. Generally, people after a hospital stay are weak and exhausted from laying in bed all the time and, as such, need to spend a few days at home just recuperating. Talk to your doctor about the need for home healthcare; if that is necessary that might be something to be arranged while you're in the hospital, before you're discharged. Also check with your insurance company or your policy to see if that will be covered. If you need physical therapy or occupational therapy, you may want to meet with those individuals before you go home, if they are going to be provided through the hospital. If you need crutches or other devices at home, it's important to learn how to use those devices while in the hospital, and that will be done through the physical therapy department before you're discharged. If you live in a multi-level home and may have trouble maneuvering the stairs, plan in advance to stay on the first level of the house, and arrange your sleeping and privacy needs accordingly.
