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The Hospital Discharge Checklist Every Family Caregiver Wishes They Had

If you’ve ever felt blindsided during a hospital discharge – rushed, confused, terrified you’re forgetting something important – you’re not alone.
Hospital discharges are one of the most chaotic, poorly explained, and overwhelming moments for families.

The truth is this:
Most hospitals discharge patients before families are fully prepared.
Not because anyone is trying to be careless… but because the system is built around speed, not clarity.

That’s why this guide exists – to take you from panic to prepared in the next 10 minutes.

If you want the downloadable PDF checklist, scroll to the bottom.

Why Families Feel Lost During Hospital Discharge

Hospitals assume you know things you’ve never been taught.
Nurses assume doctors told you something.
Doctors assume case management handled it.
Case management assumes the nurse went over the plan.

And you – standing at the bedside – are expected to magically absorb everything and take your loved one home safely.

This is exactly why we created the Willow & Wells Care System Education Hub, a resource that explains the parts of the healthcare system nobody ever slows down to clarify.

But for now, here’s the checklist you should have been given.

Your Hospital Discharge Checklist

(Save this. Screenshot it. Print it.)

1. Understand the Diagnosis – In Plain English

Ask the nurse or doctor to explain:

  • What exactly is the diagnosis?
  • What caused it?
  • Is this expected to get better, stay the same, or get worse?
  • What should we watch for in the next 72 hours?

If the explanation sounds like a medical textbook, say:
“Can you explain it to me the way you’d explain it to a family member?”

2. Get Clear Instructions for Medications

Before you leave, you should know:

  • What medications start today
  • Which old medications should stop
  • Exact doses + times
  • Possible side effects
  • What to do if they miss a dose
  • What symptoms require calling the doctor vs going back to the ER

Most medication errors happen at discharge.
Never leave without a written list and a verbal explanation.

3. Understand the Follow-Up Appointments

Ask:

  • Who are we supposed to follow up with?
  • How soon?
  • Will the hospital schedule it, or do we?
  • What do we do if no one calls us?

If they say “follow up with your PCP,” ask:
“Within how many days?”

The difference between 2 days vs 2 weeks can be huge.

4. Ask for ALL Printed Documents

You should receive:

  • Discharge summary
  • Medication list
  • Physical therapy or occupational therapy notes
  • Wound care instructions
  • Imaging reports (CT, MRI, X-ray)
  • Lab results

Pro tip: ask for all paperwork in plain-English versions if available.

5. Clarify Home Safety Needs

Ask the nurse or PT:

  • Can they safely walk inside the home?
  • Do they need a walker, cane, wheelchair, bedside commode, or shower chair?
  • Do they need help getting out of bed or up from a chair?
  • Are there stairs at home that will be a problem?

If PT/OT recommends equipment, ask if the hospital can order it before discharge.

6. Understand Red Flags

This is the part hospitals rush through – but it’s the most important.

Ask:

  • What symptoms mean I should call the doctor?
  • What symptoms mean I should call 911?
  • What symptoms mean they need to return to the ER?

Write these down. Put them on the fridge.

7. Clarify Who Is in Charge of Their Care Now

This is one of the biggest areas of confusion for families.

Once they leave the hospital:

  • The hospital team is no longer in charge
  • The primary care doctor becomes the captain of the ship
  • Specialists handle specific issues (cardiology, neurology, etc.)
  • Home health handles short-term rehab
  • You handle the day-to-day care

If you’re unsure who is responsible for what, read:
→ Who’s Actually in Charge of Your Parent’s Care?
This guide breaks it all down clearly.

8. Confirm Home Health Services (If Needed)

Ask:

  • Are they eligible for home health?
  • What services are being sent? (nurse, PT, OT, speech therapy, aide)
  • How soon will someone call us?
  • What do we do if nobody calls within 48 hours?

If home health is not set up by the time you leave:
ask case management to arrange it before discharge.

9. Review the Care Plan for the First 72 Hours

This is the highest-risk period.

Ask the nurse:

  • What should the first three days at home look like?
  • Any activity restrictions?
  • Do they need someone supervising them?
  • Any special diet?
  • Should they be walking? Resting? Both?

10. Ask for the “Just in Case” Plan

This is the plan families always wish they had.

Ask:

  • If something goes wrong, who should we call first?
  • When do we use telehealth vs going to urgent care?
  • When should we skip everything and go straight to the ER?

This one question prevents so much panic.

What to Do If You Still Feel Unprepared

Here’s the truth no one says out loud:

Most families leave the hospital feeling overwhelmed, scared, and unsure if they’re doing everything right.

That’s why Willow & Wells exists – to give you the clarity and steadiness the system doesn’t provide.

If you want personalized guidance:

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