What should families do before an older adult comes home from the hospital or rehabilitation?

Answer:

Determine whether the person can safely bathe, dress, use the bathroom, get in and out of bed, prepare food, manage medications, and navigate stairs or other barriers in the home. Families should also ask whether someone needs to be present overnight and whether a head injury has caused cognitive or behavioral changes. If ongoing assistance will be necessary, arrangements for home care or another appropriate care setting should ideally begin before discharge.