Helping you return home from hospital
A hospital stay can be unsettling. The unfamiliar environment, disruption to your routine and recovery from illness or surgery can make the experience stressful and worrying. The prospect of being discharged can also cause anxiety – not knowing whether you will manage at home, how long it will take to fully recover or who will be there to help are all common concerns.
At Trinity Homecare, we specialise in supporting people to live well at home. Whether you need temporary care after a hospital stay, reablement care to assist with recovery and relearning daily tasks, or ongoing support through visiting care or live-in care, we offer flexible options to suit your individual circumstances.
If you or a loved one is facing a hospital discharge and needs post-hospital care, whether temporarily or for the longer term, Trinity Homecare is here to help.
Benefits of live-in care – can reduce rehabilitation time for patients discharged from hospital by almost 80%.
How can care help after a hospital discharge?
Returning home is an important step in recovery, but many people still need additional support before they feel ready to manage everyday life independently again.
Hospital discharge care can bridge the gap between care in hospital and recovery at home. Depending on your needs, a carer can help with:
- Personal care, such as bathing, dressing and toileting
- Medication support
- Mobility and moving safely around the home
- Meal preparation
- Picking up prescriptions
- Transport or support attending outpatient appointments
- Light housekeeping, laundry and shopping
- Following an agreed recovery or reablement plan
- Companionship and reassurance while you regain your confidence
Where appropriate, care can also be coordinated alongside the healthcare professionals involved in your recovery so that the support you receive at home reflects your discharge and care plan.
Care after hospital discharge
In many cases, people discharged from hospital will require a period of convalescence while they recover and get back on their feet. Hospital discharge care can support a comfortable return home and help you work towards greater independence.
Older patients will usually only be discharged from hospital if they can return home safely with the appropriate care and support in place. At Trinity Homecare, we can work alongside the medical and care professionals involved in your recovery to develop a personalised care plan that reflects your individual needs and wishes.
Depending on your ongoing health needs, mobility, expected recovery and home circumstances, different care options may be suitable. Our flexible approach also means that the support you receive can be adjusted if your needs change during recovery.
Types of care after hospital discharge
Hospital discharge care does not look the same for everyone. Some people may only need a little extra help for a short period, while others may need more regular or ongoing support.
Trinity Homecare can provide:
- Visiting care – scheduled visits to help with personal care, medication, meals and other day-to-day tasks.
- Live-in care – a professional carer lives in your home, providing consistent support throughout the day while you recover.
- 24-hour care – continuous day-and-night support for people with more intensive care needs.
- Overnight care – dedicated support during the night where this is required.
- Reablement care – short-term support focused on helping you regain abilities, confidence and independence after illness or a hospital stay.
- Convalescent care – temporary care while recovering from an illness, injury or operation.
- Postoperative care – support following surgery while you continue your recovery at home.
- Respite care – short-term care where an existing family member or caregiver needs a break or additional support.
The most suitable option will depend on your care needs, recovery goals and how much help you need at different times of the day.
The benefits of hospital discharge care
Having suitable care in place can make the transition from hospital to home feel more manageable for both the person recovering and their family.
Hospital discharge care can provide:
- Professional support in the comfort and familiarity of your own home
- Help to regain everyday skills and confidence after a period of illness
- Support with mobility and daily routines during recovery
- Greater reassurance for family and friends
- One-to-one care tailored to your individual needs
- Companionship and encouragement
- Help with household tasks such as cleaning, laundry and shopping
- Support that can be adapted as your recovery progresses
For people who are working towards specific goals, reablement care can also focus on rebuilding skills and independence so that the level of support required may reduce over time.
The hospital discharge process
Each hospital will have its own discharge policy. You can ask for a copy from the ward manager or Patient Advice and Liaison Service. Nonetheless, planning for discharge should usually begin as early as possible during your hospital stay.
The care professionals involved in your hospital stay will discuss with you – and with your family or carers if you would like them involved:
- How the doctor will decide when you are ready to be discharged
- When they expect this to be
- Whether you will return home or go somewhere else, such as a community hospital or care home
- Transport and other practical arrangements
- Any care or support you may need after discharge
If you are planning to care for someone when they leave hospital, let the hospital know as early as possible so that you can be involved in the discharge-planning process.
If care is needed following discharge, health and social care professionals may assess to identify the support required and determine whether you may be eligible for funded care.
This could include temporary rehabilitation or reablement support designed to help you regain confidence and independence after returning home.
They will be assessing your care needs and eligibility for NHS funding (for a maximum duration of 6 weeks) for:
Intermediate care includes care services such as nursing care, home support, occupational therapy, or physiotherapy designed to promote faster recovery.
Reablement care is a short-term goal-specific care focused on recovering, regaining abilities and strength, and adapting to life at home, in order to remain well and live independently.
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is a type of care that if you have long-term significant healthcare needs, you may be eligible for a package called NHS Continuing Healthcare.
Care and support from a private provider, such as Trinity Homecare, that you pay for either in your own home or a care home (this is likely to be the only option if you are not eligible for help from your local authority)
Such as rehabilitation or palliative care depending on your medical condition.
Wheelchairs, specialist beds, or aids and adaptations needed for daily living at home.
Benefits of live-in care – 79% decrease in recovery time when compared to recovery time in a care home.
How is hospital discharge care arranged?
If you are eligible for funding for your post-hospital care, you may be able to decide how the personal budget allocated to you is spent, or your local authority may arrange care on your behalf.
If you are not eligible for funded support, you can arrange and pay for private home care yourself.
Whether your care is funded or privately arranged, Trinity Homecare can help you organise the support you need as efficiently as possible.
To arrange care after a hospital discharge, the home care provider you choose will usually carry out a care needs assessment to understand your circumstances, needs and preferences.
At Trinity Homecare, we offer a free, no-obligation enquiry service. This can include visiting you at home or in hospital to carry out a care assessment.
The assessment enables us to consider:
- Your current care and support needs
- Any existing medical or professional support
- Your mobility and recovery goals
- Your routines and preferences
- The type and frequency of care required
We can then create a personalised care plan and identify a suitable carer.
Why choose Trinity Homecare?
With more than 30 years of experience providing home care, Trinity Homecare can support you whether you are planning a hospital stay, are currently in hospital or have recently been discharged.
Our care can be arranged around your individual recovery needs and adapted if your circumstances change.
We are rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), reflecting the quality of our regulated home care services.
Our friendly and experienced team is available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm & Saturday, 10am to 4pm.
Call us on 0207 183 4884 or complete our online enquiry form to discuss hospital discharge care for you or a loved one.
