Before you go into hospital you should think about what needs to happen when
you are discharged and your follow-up care. If you will not be able to return
home immediately then make sure that alternative arrangements are in place –
perhaps stay with family or at a nursing home, for example. Ask the hospital in
advance if you will need any specific care or equipment and let your carers
know in plenty of time.
The following suggestions may be helpful in planning your discharge:
- get written instructions
from the hospital on your continued care plan including medication,
rehabilitation, physiotherapy, exercise etc.
- ensure that you have
sufficient medication to cover the next couple of weeks
- write down hospital contact
numbers in case any queries arise once you have been discharged
- arrange transport to take
you from the hospital
- book at least the first of
any follow up visits required
- put in place any help you
may need once you return home
- get help in preparing your
home if you may be less mobile than usual – moving the telephone,
television or bed, for example
- if you have been advised to
follow any particular exercise regime to speed your recovery then follow
this carefully, reporting any problems or changes in your condition
- if specific activities are
difficult when you return home, speak with a physiotherapist or
occupational therapist as they may be able to provide strategies or
special equipment to help you - special exercises for those with
Parkinson’s are often required for those recovering from certain types of
surgery, such as a hip replacement
- check on any benefits you
could be entitled to once you leave hospital. These vary from country to
country but state funded assistance might be available to help towards the
cost of care while you recover.
