Leaving the hospital is usually a relief, but going home doesn’t mean the recovery process is over. In fact, the days and weeks following a hospital stay are often the most critical. Whether you are returning home after surgery, illness, or injury, the proper preparation and assistance can support a timely recovery and even help prevent rehospitalization.

Prepare Your Home if Possible

If you’re going into the hospital for a planned procedure, you have time to prepare for recovery. “Ask your health care provider, nurses, or physical therapist about getting your home ready for your return,” advises the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Your preparation may include:

• Moving your bed, stocking up on recommended foods and beverages, and making sure your daily needs (phone, books, medications, etc.) are within easy reach.
• Getting medical equipment, such as a hospital bed, raised toilet seat, walker, or shower stool.
• Addressing anything that may be a safety or fall hazard, such as throw rugs, cords, and dim lighting.

“If your hospital stay was unplanned, have family or friends prepare your home for you,” the NIH suggests.

Understand the Discharge Plan

Before leaving the hospital, you should receive a written discharge plan. This typically includes medication instructions, wound care guidance, physical activity recommendations, dietary guidelines, and follow-up appointments. Make sure you understand everything. Don’t hesitate to ask questions before heading home. Having a friend or loved one review the plan with you can be helpful.

Medication Management Matters

Recovery often involves a complex medication schedule. One missed dose—or one dose too many—can derail progress or even lead to a trip back to the hospital. If your medications were changed during your hospital stay, be sure to set aside any outdated prescriptions at home (or dispose of them, if the doctor advises).

Right at Home caregivers can provide gentle medication reminders and alert families or care teams if a client is experiencing side effects or confusion.

Don’t Skimp on Follow-Up Care

Many people don’t realize how common it is to end up back in the hospital shortly after being discharged. Follow-up care is important—don’t skip those post-hospital doctor visits. And follow any routines in your care plan, such as monitoring blood pressure or doing prescribed exercises.

Above all, keep an eye out for early warning signs of trouble, such as shortness of breath, swelling, confusion, or increasing pain. Quick action can prevent a small problem from becoming a serious setback.

Tend to Your Mental and Emotional Well-Being

Healing isn’t just physical. After a hospital stay, people often feel tired, anxious, or even isolated—especially if they live alone. If your loved one was hospitalized, encourage them to talk about how they’re feeling, and ask them if they   want to work with a counselor or support group.

Having a compassionate Right at Home caregiver nearby offers reassurance, companionship, and consistency. Just having someone to talk to or share a meal with can lift spirits and speed recovery.

Don’t Forget the Basics: Nutrition and Hydration

A body that’s healing needs fuel. Nutritious meals and adequate hydration are essential during recovery, but it’s not always easy to shop, cook, or remember to eat when you’re not feeling your best. Right at Home caregivers can help with grocery runs, meal preparation, or encouraging healthy snacks and water throughout the day.

Stay in Touch With Health Care Providers

Finally, know when to reach out to your doctor. Any signs of infection, difficulty breathing, new or worsening pain, confusion, or unexpected symptoms should be taken seriously. Having a trusted point of contact—and knowing when to use it—can make all the difference.

Right at Home’s Hospital-to-Home Program

Sometimes, the best path to healing involves a little extra help. That's why we developed our RightTransitions hospital-to-home care program. We help seniors and adults with disabilities get home safely and prevent further hospitalizations with regular visits by our trained caregivers. We’re here to make living at home easier so you can save your energy for recovery. We also provide respite care so family or friends who are helping can take a much- needed break.

Learn more about RightTransitions on our website at www.rightathome.net/services/ specialty-care/hospital-to-home, where you can also download helpful PDF documents, including a discharge checklist and tips for your hospital stay.

Recovering at home can be the start of getting life back on track. Right at Home is here to help from day one with compassionate, reliable care that helps people heal comfortably and safely at home.