Hospital Discharge Planning: How Wellthy Can Help
A trip to the hospital is incredibly frightening. It is hard enough to process the hospitalization, let alone next steps. An effective discharge can create a smooth transition to a care facility or back home, and help decrease re-admittance to the hospital.
Unfortunately, families don’t learn about the plan until discharge day, and they’re presented with the plan without the family’s input. Our vendor partner, Wellthy, feels strongly that family caregivers should be involved in the process, and feel comfortable speaking upon behalf of their loved ones. Wellthy’s Care Coordinators have shared some discharge planning tips–check out the Discharge Planning Checklist below.
As a reminder, you and your family have access to Wellthy at no cost. Wellthy’s Care Coordinators can help with discharge planning for you, your covered dependents, your parents or parent-in-laws for any complex care needs. Go to Wellthy to learn more.
Your Discharge Planning Checklist
Confirm your main points of contacts: During a hospitalization, there’s a host of people involved. Families have the right to know who you can voice questions/concerns to, and what treatment is planned.
Speak up about unfamiliar terms: Medical terminology can be intimidating. Sometimes we forget to ask “what does that mean?” But asking for clarity will allow you and your family to feel confident in understanding what’s going on.
Communicate early and often on next steps: It’s hard to focus on what’s next when you’re trying to take one day at a time. However, you should figure out if your loved one will be able to go home or transition to a facility. This will help you create a plan – find facilities, call agencies, research home modification options, etc.
Understand your rights: You have the right to appeal a discharge if you feel your loved one is being released too early. Don’t wait to discuss this — if this is a concern, speak with the discharge planner and medical team immediately.
Understand insurance coverage: Not all post-hospitalization services are covered through insurance. Some may have time limitations and certain restrictions. Get ahead of this — know your loved one’s options early on.
Take care of yourself: Caregiving burnout is real. Caring for a loved one is stressful, and it is easy to put yourself last. Drink water, go outside for a walk, remember to eat, and take some time for yourself.
Delegate during a stressful time: Turn to Wellthy — not only for additional support in discharge planning but for any of your family’s ongoing care needs. Our Care Coordinators are your experts — they’ll be with you every step of the way.