Aging parent hospital discharge checklist

Before they leave the hospital

1. Get written discharge instructions — don't rely on memory, especially for a stressed or medicated patient.
2. Review every medication change with a nurse or pharmacist — new prescriptions, stopped prescriptions, and dosage changes are where mistakes happen most.
3. Confirm follow-up appointments are actually scheduled, not just recommended.
4. Ask about home health or rehab referrals — Medicare may cover a limited period of home health after a qualifying hospital stay; ask the discharge planner directly what applies here.
5. Get a direct number to call with questions or problems after you're home.
6. Arrange transportation home, and confirm someone can be there for at least the first day or two.

Before they walk back into the house

What was safe before a hospital stay may not be safe now, especially if strength, balance, or mobility have changed. Run through the Home Safety Checklist — pay particular attention to stairs, the bathroom, and anything requiring a step up or down — before your parent is back in that environment alone.

Sources

• Medicare.gov — home health services coverage after a hospital stay, medicare.gov/coverage/home-health-services