Bringing a loved one home after a hospital stay or move from a facility is both hopeful and daunting. As a family, you want to ensure safety, continuity of care, and emotional support. Home health care can bridge that gap, and with early planning, you can help the transition go more smoothly.
At CarePlus Home Health, we don’t just provide services, we become a true partner for you and your family. From skilled nursing to physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as compassionate home health aides, our team is here to make the transition home smoother, safer, and more reassuring. Below you’ll find a step-by-step guide for families, with practical tips and the ways CarePlus can support you at every stage.
Why Families Matter During the Transition
When a patient moves from hospital to home, critical details such as medications, follow-ups, care instructions can sometimes fall through the cracks. Studies from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality have shown that better coordination and family involvement reduce readmission risk.
As family caregivers or advocates, you observe daily changes, ask questions, and help enforce consistency. With the right preparation, your role can feel less chaotic and more empowered.
Steps Families Can Take and How CarePlus Helps
1. Engage in Discharge Planning
Join hospital planning discussions to review medications, follow-ups, and daily routines. Let staff know CarePlus will be providing services so our team can prepare before your loved one comes home.
2. Choose CarePlus & Clarify Services
CarePlus offers skilled nursing, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, plus home health aides for personal care. Confirm which services are needed, ask for a CarePlus care coordinator, and check insurance coverage (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, or private pay).
3. Prepare the Home
Clear walkways, add grab bars, improve lighting, and designate areas for medical equipment. CarePlus clinicians also provide a home safety assessment when services begin.
4. Create a Family Binder
Keep key information together: medication lists, emergency contacts, discharge papers, legal documents, and daily preferences. Sharing this with your CarePlus team on Day 1 ensures smooth communication.
5. Set Expectations
Discuss what tasks the family will handle vs. what CarePlus caregivers will do. Talk openly about privacy, comfort, and backup plans, and encourage your loved one to share concerns.
Your role as family caregiver is invaluable in this transition. By preparing your home, organizing critical documents, communicating clearly, and choosing a trusted partner like CarePlus, you’ll reduce stress and set your loved one up for the best possible outcomes.