It goes without saying that the return of a loved one after hospitalization is always great news, but many questions arise since it often involves recovery at home. Who will be there to welcome you? Who can take time off to help you? Can you cook or manage your new medication by yourself? Who can do the shopping, cleaning, laundry, go to the pharmacy, or help you move around and with personal hygiene? To ensure a speedy recovery and effective rehabilitation after leaving the hospital, it is essential to ask these questions and plan accordingly.

Before your hospital discharge, ask questions!

You are being discharged from the hospital? Be sure to ask the doctor and hospital staff what to expect upon returning home. Get as many details as possible. Take notes for all follow-up appointments. What information will the doctor need and when? Do you need to arrange the appointments yourself, or will the hospital take care of it? It may be necessary to receive follow-up care from other healthcare professionals. If the hospital arranges these appointments, make sure to follow up if no one contacts you quickly about this. If you are responsible for scheduling, do so as soon as possible, as there may be a waiting period. We recommend keeping all documents and information related to your hospital stay and medical follow-up.

New medication!

If new medications have been prescribed, talk with your pharmacist. Organize your medications using a Dispill system to avoid errors. Also, ask if the new medications may have side effects. Take notes on all the information and share it with anyone who will be caring for you so they know what to expect.

Care and help at home

Your planning should also include home care. Who will be there during the day? And at night? This could be a family member, a friend, a professional caregiver, or a combination of all these options. The first 72 hours after leaving the hospital are a critical period during which the patient should never be left alone. It is important to know that there are resources to assist you.

You need additional help

Know that we are here. For a single day or for an indefinite period, our home care professionals are available 7 days a week according to your needs.

Medical support

• Monitoring blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing, wound care, care for colostomy or ileostomy, medication monitoring and administration, intravenous therapy, ventilatory care, etc.

Daily care

• Personal care, meal preparation, feeding assistance, mobility help, companionship, and supervision.

If you have questions, contact us or visit our website under the Home Care section.

Geneviève Dubé, Director
PRAXIS Family Health Clinic