What to ask before an elderly parent is discharged from the hospital

Discharge can happen quickly. Use these questions to make the next steps concrete before your parent leaves the hospital or rehab.

Ask the discharge nurse

• What instructions should we follow tonight and tomorrow morning?
• Which symptoms are expected, which require a call, and which require urgent care?
• Who do we call during business hours?
• Who do we call after hours?
• Can my parent safely walk, use the bathroom, bathe, eat, and get into bed?

Ask the doctor or hospital team

• What diagnosis or condition is being treated?
• What changed since admission?
• What still needs follow-up?
• Are there activity, diet, wound-care, bathing, or driving restrictions?
• What would mean the discharge plan is not working?

Ask the case manager or social worker

• Are home health, nursing, therapy, or wound-care services ordered?
• Which agency will call, and when should we expect the first contact?
• What equipment must be ready at home before the first night?
• Who handles insurance authorizations or equipment delivery?
• What transportation plan is safest for discharge day?

Ask the pharmacist or medication reviewer

• Which medications are new, changed, stopped, or unchanged?
• What dose is due next, and when?
• Which pharmacy has the prescriptions?
• What side effects should family ask about or watch for?
• Should any old bottles or old medication lists be removed from use?

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