A short, calm checklist for families and caregivers helping someone return home after hospitalization, surgery, or rehab. Use it alongside the discharge team's instructions.
Ask what mobility, bathing, toileting, medication, wound care, or supervision needs may change after discharge.
Clarify medication changes, follow-up appointments, warning signs, and who to call with questions.
Prepare the bedroom, bathroom, and main walking paths before the person returns home.
Remove clutter, loose rugs, cords, and other trip hazards from common pathways.
Place important items within easy reach: phone, medications, water, lighting, emergency contacts, and frequently used supplies.
Check whether equipment may be needed, such as a shower chair, raised toilet seat, walker-accessible pathway, bedside lighting, or grab bars.
Identify who will help at home with meals, transportation, bathing, medication reminders, follow-up appointments, or safety checks.
When to seek professional guidance
Consider professional guidance if the person has new mobility limits, recent falls, dizziness, confusion, unsafe transfers, wound care needs, or caregiver concerns.
Want an automated walkthrough?
The Home Readiness assessment walks you room by room and generates a shareable action plan.