Last reviewed October 2026 by the Family Lantern team against the sources listed below. Programs and rates change; confirm details with the program or provider.
Discharge can happen quickly. Starting the conversation early, even on the first day of a hospital stay, gives the family time to line up the right help before the person comes home.
Talk with the discharge planner early
Ask the care team who handles discharge planning and when the person is expected to go home. Ask what help they will need, such as nursing visits, therapy, equipment, or someone to help with bathing and meals.
Ask whether the doctor will order home health care. If they do, the hospital should give you a list of Medicare-certified agencies that serve your area, and tell you if the hospital has a financial interest in any of them. You can choose the agency.
Know what home health covers
Medicare home health covers part-time skilled nursing and therapy for people who are homebound and have a doctor’s order. It does not cover 24-hour care or personal care when that is the only need.
If the person will need more help than home health provides, such as someone there overnight or several hours of help each day, arrange private home care to fill the gaps before discharge day.
Prepare the home
Before discharge, check the path from the entrance to the bedroom and bathroom. Ask whether equipment like a walker, shower chair, or hospital bed is needed and who will deliver it.
Make a list of medicines, follow-up appointments, and warning signs from the discharge instructions, and keep it where caregivers can see it.
The first week home
The first days are often the hardest. Consider extra hours of help at first and reduce them as the person recovers. If something changes suddenly, call the doctor, or 911 in an emergency.