Going home from the hospital
A two-page discharge checklist for older adults and caregivers.
Use this guide to record your home-care plan before you leave the hospital.
Before I go home
Check first: Ask for written instructions you can understand. Tell the team if you are worried about managing safely at home.
- I understand why I was in the hospital and what has changed.
- I have a written discharge plan and know where I am going after the hospital.
- I know what help, equipment and supplies I need, and who is arranging them.
- I or my care partner have practised any new care tasks.
- I have transport, access to my home and the support I need for the first days.
My home-care plan
- Where I am going after the hospital
- Who will help and what they will do
- Services, equipment or supplies arranged
- Care instructions I need to follow
Before I leave
- I can explain the plan in my own words.
- I can obtain my medicines and know who can answer medicine questions.
- I know which changes mean I should contact the team or get urgent help.
- I have my follow-up details and know who will receive the hospital information.
Medicines follow-up and contacts
My discharge record
Use this page to record what changed and confirm what happens next.
Check first: Compare the discharge list with what you took before admission. Ask about every difference. Do not change a medicine unless your healthcare team tells you to.
Medication changes
| Medicine or product | Change made | How and when to use | Reason or notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Follow-up arrangements
| Appointment, test or service | Date and time | Contact or location |
|---|---|---|
Results still expected:
Who to contact
Questions or concerns:
After hours:
Emergency number:
Sources
CMS. Your Discharge Planning Checklist. December 2025.
AHRQ. IDEAL Discharge Planning. Accessed September 2026.
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