Caring for a relative who is returning home from hospital after a stroke or fall can feel overwhelming. While care professionals handle the clinical side, understanding the discharge planning process from a family perspective is key to ensuring their return is safe, comfortable, and positive.
If you’ve been searching for the “10 steps of discharge planning“, you may have found clinical guides written for healthcare professionals. This guide translates that process into practical actions for families – the things you need to do to prepare your home and support your loved one’s recovery.
Thoughtful preparation helps ensure continuity of care and reduces the risk of hospital readmission. Here are ten essential steps to help you create a supportive environment for their recovery.
Key Takeaways
- A safe and prepared home environment is the foundation for a successful safe discharge.
- Clear communication with the multidisciplinary hospital team helps coordinate a smooth care pathway.
What is discharge planning?
Discharge planning is the process hospitals use to prepare patients for leaving hospital safely. It involves assessing care needs, arranging follow-up treatment, and ensuring the home environment is suitable. For families, it means understanding what support your relative will need and preparing your home for their return. The process typically begins 24-48 hours after admission for planned stays, or as soon as a patient is medically stable after emergency admissions.
The 10 Steps of Discharge Planning (Family Checklist)
- Meet with the multidisciplinary team – Understand the care plan before leaving hospital
- Arrange safe transportation – Book wheelchair-accessible transport if needed
- Assess the home for hazards – Remove loose rugs, improve lighting, clear pathways
- Make necessary modifications – Install grab rails, non-slip mats, rearrange furniture
- Stock up for the first week – Medical supplies, food, and prepared meals
- Plan for physical activity – Understand the rehabilitation programme
- Ensure balanced nutrition – Simple, nutritious meals to support healing
- Support mental well-being – Listen, reassure, and encourage enjoyable activities
- Keep information organised – Track appointments, medications, and contacts
- Build a support network – Involve family, friends, and professional carers
The 10 Steps of Discharge Planning (Family Checklist)
Effective discharge planning starts before you even leave the ward. These first steps ensure you follow the correct discharge pathway and aren’t caught off guard on the day of release.
1. Meet with the multidisciplinary team
The NHS has a formal discharge planning process that begins while your relative is still in hospital. As a family member, you have the right to be involved. Before the date of discharge, ask to meet with the hospital’s doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists. This is your opportunity to understand the clinical management plan, ask questions about their condition, and get clarity on any special care needs.
Key questions to ask:
- What level of mobility should we expect when they come home?
- Are there any warning signs we should watch for?
- What follow-up appointments are already scheduled?
- Will they be referred for community physiotherapy, and how long is the waiting list?
Ensure you understand the discharge information provided by the discharge coordinator. Clear communication here is vital for a timely discharge.
2. Arrange for safe transportation
Plan how your loved one will get home from hospital. Consider their mobility needs—will they need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle or assistance getting in and out of a car?
Arranging this prior to discharge avoids unnecessary stress. For a complex discharge, hospital transport services may be available, but availability varies.
Local Tip: If you are bringing a relative home to Ringwood, Bournemouth, or the New Forest, consider booking community transport in advance if a private car isn’t suitable. If you need advice on transport providers in Hampshire or Dorset, please contact us.
Creating a Safe Home Environment
3. Assess the home for potential hazards
Take a walk through the home and look for anything that could cause a trip or fall. Common hazards include loose rugs, poor lighting in hallways, and clutter on the floor. Ensuring pathways are clear is a simple but vital step for a safe hospital discharge.
4. Make necessary modifications
Based on your assessment, make some simple changes to improve safety. This might involve installing grab rails in the bathroom, adding non-slip mats, or rearranging furniture to create more space for activities of daily living.
If you are unsure where to start, our Occupational Therapists can visit your home to conduct a professional OT home safety assessment tailored to your specific needs. This helps support patients returning home with reduced mobility.
5. Stock up for care after discharge
Ensure you have everything you might need for the first week at home. This includes any necessary medical supplies like dressings or bandages, as well as having a well-stocked pantry and fridge.
Preparing meals in advance is a key part of planning for discharge, as it allows you to focus on your loved one’s care support rather than cooking.
Supporting Recovery Day-to-Day
6. Plan for their physical activity
Recovery often involves gentle, guided exercise. Understand the plan for ongoing rehabilitation after a stroke or fall, and encourage your loved one to participate as advised by their therapist.
While NHS continuing healthcare provides excellent support, waiting lists can be long. Continuing rehabilitation at home with a private Chartered Physiotherapist is often crucial to prevent hospital readmission and improve long-term mobility.
7. Ensure they eat a balanced diet
Good nutrition is essential for healing and regaining energy. Plan for simple, nutritious meals that are easy to prepare. If cooking is a challenge, you could explore local meal delivery services or social care providers who can assist.
8. Support their mental well-being
Recovering from a significant health event can be emotionally challenging. Be there to listen and offer reassurance. Helping your loved one to engage in simple, enjoyable activities can reduce feelings of isolation and boost their mood during the transition from hospital.
9. Keep important information organised
Use a calendar or notebook to keep track of follow-up appointments, medication schedules, and contact numbers for their care providers. Staying organised helps ensure that nothing is missed in their care plan.
10. Build a support network
Remember that you are not alone. Reach out to other family members or friends who can help with tasks like shopping, attending appointments, or simply providing company. Looking after your own well-being is just as important as the care for patients.
The information in this article is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for a personalised assessment from a qualified healthcare professional. Please consult with a therapist for advice tailored to your specific condition.
Final Thoughts
The first few weeks after hospital discharge are often the most critical – and the most exhausting for families. The formal discharge process can feel rushed, and it’s common to arrive home realising you still have questions or that the house isn’t quite as ready as you’d hoped.
The truth is, most families don’t get this perfect. You do what you can with the time and information you have. What matters most is that your loved one feels safe, supported, and not alone – and that you have a plan for the days ahead, even if it’s just the next 48 hours.
If you’re reading this before discharge day, you’re already ahead. If you’re reading it after, and things feel chaotic, that’s normal too. Take it one step at a time.
Need support in the first week at home?
Whether it’s a home safety check, getting rehabilitation started quickly, or simply talking through what to expect – we’re here to help families across Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire navigate this transition.