Key takeaways
- Start planning the day your loved one is admitted, not the day before discharge.
- Ask the hospital team for an Ontario Health atHome referral if more care will be needed.
- Get a written list of medication changes and follow-up appointments.
- Prepare the home: a clear path, a safe bathroom and food in the fridge.
- The first 72 hours matter most. Arrange for someone to be there.
1. Before discharge: questions to ask the hospital team
- When is the expected discharge date?Ask early and check again every day. Dates can move quickly.
- What has changed with medications?Ask for a written list of new, stopped and changed medications, and which pharmacy has the prescriptions.
- Is a referral to Ontario Health atHome being made?Ask what services may be funded, such as nursing or personal support, and when they start.
- What equipment is needed?A walker, raised toilet seat, shower chair, commode or hospital bed. Ask who arranges it.
- What can and can't they do yet?Stairs, bathing, lifting, driving and diet.
- Which follow-ups are booked?Family doctor, specialist, physiotherapy, tests. Get dates in writing.
- What warning signs should we watch for?And who to call, day and night.
2. Preparing the home
- Set up a bedroom on the main floor if stairs are difficult.
- Clear a wide, clutter-free path from the bed to the bathroom, and remove loose rugs.
- Add night lights and make sure light switches are easy to reach.
- Fit grab bars, a shower chair or a raised toilet seat if recommended.
- Stock the fridge with easy meals and plenty of drinks.
- Put a phone, glasses and a medication list within reach of the bed or chair.
Our room-by-room fall prevention checklist has more ideas.
3. Discharge day
- Arrange transport, and bring comfortable clothes and shoes.
- Collect the discharge summary, medication list and any equipment.
- Fill new prescriptions on the way home, or arrange delivery.
- Make sure someone is home for the first night, whether that's family or a caregiver.
4. The first 72 hours at home
- Medications: follow the new list exactly. Remove old medications that have been stopped, so they aren't taken by mistake.
- Moving safely: help with getting up, walking and toileting, especially at night, when falls are more likely.
- Eating and drinking: small, frequent meals and regular drinks help recovery.
- Watch for warning signs: fever, increasing pain, redness or discharge from a wound, new confusion, shortness of breath or not passing urine. Call the number on the discharge papers, the family doctor or Health811 (811) for advice, and 911 in an emergency.
5. The first two weeks
- Keep every follow-up appointment and bring the medication list.
- Do the exercises the physiotherapist recommends, a little each day.
- Write down questions as they come up, for the next appointment.
- Review the support plan. If recovery is slower than expected, ask for more help, not less.
6. Who does what after discharge?
| Who | What they usually handle |
|---|---|
| Hospital team | Discharge plan, prescriptions, referrals and equipment advice |
| Ontario Health atHome | Assessed, publicly funded nursing, personal support and therapy at home |
| Family doctor | Follow-up, medication review and ongoing health |
| Private home care | Extra hours: overnight help, longer visits, meals, bathing and company |
To understand how funded and private care fit together, read Ontario Health atHome vs private home care.
7. How Artistic Home Care helps after hospital
The best time to call us is before discharge. After a free, no-obligation consult, our registered nurse plans the support needed at home, and a qualified PSW helps with mobility, bathing, meals and medication reminders while your loved one recovers. Visits start at 4 hours, and we can provide overnight or 24-hour care for the first days home.
Learn about our post-hospital care and PSW services in Etobicoke, Brampton, Toronto and across the GTA. Call 437-985-6225, 24/7, or book a consult.
Frequently asked questions
When should we arrange home care after a hospital stay?
As soon as discharge is being discussed. Planning a few days ahead gives you more choice of caregiver and schedule.
Does the hospital arrange home care?
The hospital team can refer to Ontario Health atHome for publicly funded care. Families arrange any extra private care themselves.
Can someone stay overnight for the first few nights?
Yes. Overnight care for the first few nights home is one of the most common requests we get.
What if my parent lives alone?
Tell the hospital team early. It affects the discharge plan, and it is a strong reason to arrange support for the first days home.
Cover photo: MRC Témiscamingue on Unsplash
Published 19 October 2026 · Last updated 19 October 2026
