The North York town hospital was quite a scene when it came to the discharge process. The week-long stay with great care that he received 24 hours a day was just enough time for my aged father to be up to the next adventure, that is, home. Already the medications were written down, the papers were signed, and we were kindly told, “Take care!” What was left, though, was a very important book to help us deal with the situation we were going to face: turning our family house into a safe and functional recovery area.

The main reason for the hospital’s attention was understandably his clinical needs. Nonetheless, it was a huge transition going from the sterile environment of a well-equipped hospital with beds to a cozy house with carpets. Here are the things that they did not prepare us for and the priceless lessons we got the hard way.

The Unspoken Challenges of the Home Recovery Environment

It did not take long for us to realize that the terms “restful home environment” and “clinical recovery environment” do not mean the same. We were confronted with the following challenges that we did not foresee:

The Tripping Hazard Tour: Our belief was that we had the passage from the bedroom to the bathroom all cleared. The loose rug corners, low-lying furniture, and even a pet toy were some of the things we did not factor in. The hospital beds are large, cool, and devoid of walls, with something noticeably amiss.

The Everyday Battle for the Bathroom

  A hospital bathroom has grab bars, a raised toilet seat, and mats to keep you from slipping. Our bathroom had a slippery porcelain tub and a toilet that was now too low for anyone with limited mobility, which was our situation. On the first night, we realized that going to the bathroom had become a major effort and a potential injury.

The Medication Management Maze: The hospital gave a list of pills and times, but no system. It would be a lot of frustration and an error-prone situation if, at the same time, one had to keep track of multiple prescriptions, some taken with food, some on an empty stomach, and what was taken or missed when.

The Silence Was Deafening 

It was not the quiet life we got used to during the hospital stay. After the constant monitoring of the patient and the sound of the beeping machines, the silence at home was really loud. No one was there to check and reassure us, so we felt trapped and unable to recognize whether the patient’s condition was normal after surgery or if it was a warning sign.

What We Learned: Building a True Recovery Haven . It was by going through the difficulties that we were able to change our home from being a danger zone to becoming a healing place. These are the things we wish had been included in our discharge plan:

Conduct a Pre-Discharge Safety Sweep

You have to get down on your hands and knees. Look for loose wires, curled carpet edges, and clutter. Secure rugs with double-sided tape or remove them entirely. This is the single most crucial thing you can do.

Invest in Simple Adaptive Equipment: We bought a raised toilet seat, a shower chair, and temporary grab bars. Not only were these cheap items for safety, but they also gave back a feeling of independence and dignity. A bedside commode can also be a nighttime game-changer.

Establish a Central Command Center: In our kitchen, we utilized a whiteboard as a simple means of tracking medication schedules, fluid intake, and jotting down questions for the next doctor visit. The large pill organizer that opened for multiple days also helped in alleviating problem-solving on a daily basis and avoiding confusion.

Incorporate Technology to Augment Your Vigilance and Awareness

A simple baby monitor provided peace of mind by allowing us to listen for our father if he needed assistance without hovering outside of his door. We also programmed emergency contacts into speed dial, as well as a group text with family members to coordinate care and updates.

The deepest takeaway from the whole experience was that healing is not only a physical matter; it involves much more of the patients’ feelings and environment. The sickroom was the main hospital area, and the doctor’s task was to make the patient feel comfortable and secure in recovery.

The staff took preemptive measures in dealing with the various aspects of the home that could be potentially challenging. Thus, the hospital staff switched from the fearful and reactive position to a confident one where they offered proactive care. If you are getting ready for the return of a family member from the hospital to their home, do not limit yourself to the clinical checklist.

The most important thing of all is that you take on the role of their architect and return to the normal life of day-to-day living.