From Hospital to Home: Making Care Transitions Less Stressful

When a loved one leaves the hospital, it’s rarely the end of the journey. Follow-up appointments, new medications, and home care needs often create a whirlwind of stress. Without coordination, patients risk readmission.

How Nurse Navigators Support Families:

• Discharge planning: Sit with the hospital team during discharge to confirm instructions are clear and realistic.

• Medication safety: Review prescriptions for interactions or duplicates, and help families set up pill organizers or reminders.

• At-home setup: Walk through the home environment to suggest safety modifications — grab bars, ramps, or fall-prevention changes.

• Follow-up care: Schedule and confirm specialist appointments, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.

• Advocacy calls: Contact insurance or home health agencies on the family’s behalf to secure needed services quickly.

Why This Matters:
Research shows that the first 30 days after discharge are critical. Families with support during this time feel more confident, and patients recover more smoothly.

Final Thought: Hospital discharge should be the start of healing — not the beginning of confusion. With a nurse navigator by your side, transitions become manageable and safe.