It’s very important to make sure that you are on the emergency call list in case you need to be notified for a change in your loved one’s status. Make sure you have the telephone and room number of your loved one and that of the nurse’s station. Depending on how you are feeling, and if the patient has cognitive deficits or dementia, you may want to stay overnight with them. Most hospitals are very helpful and will provide a chair, or if in a private room, a sofa/chair for you to rest on.
If you are too exhausted or overwhelmed and need to go home to rest, take that time for yourself. Don’t feel guilty because you are leaving. You will feel much better having rested. Be sure to let the staff know when you are leaving. Also, acquaint them with your loved one and tell them things specific to the patient that they need to know such as language difficulties, cognitive deficits, disabilities and special needs. Make sure they have your number to call if needed. Ask the staff when the hospitalist will come to visit so you can be there to find out about their medical situation.
Your loved one will be assigned a case manager and/or a social worker. The hospitalist should already have discussed with you the discharge plan. Understand that the hospitalist will change from day to day. You may need to repeat yourself about pertinent issues every time you see a new one. The case manager/social worker is there to make the arrangements for you. If you have concerns about discharge issues, these are the people that you need to speak to along with the hospitalist.
Upon discharge, you will receive instructions regarding care, new medications, and arrangements for your loved one to follow up with their primary care doctor or specialist. If you don’t understand what they are instructing you to do or have any further questions, don’t be afraid to ask.
Finally, if your loved one can physically come home in the car with you, that is preferable. Otherwise, you can request a wheelchair van to transport them. You can then meet them at your home.
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Nurse Bee
