Therefore, from day one you should be asking the medical team who are looking after you:
- What is wrong with me?
- What is going to happen today?
- What can I do to help myself get better?
- When am I likely to go home?
In hospital and getting home
Being in hospital can be a daunting experience which is why the minute you arrive you should be preparing and thinking about getting home.
From eating well and keeping active in hospital, to asking family and friends for help and support in your recovery and planning your discharge home, the following information is intended to enable you a smooth and stress-free hospital visit.
Home is the best place
We understand that it can be a daunting experience being in hospital so with that in mind, the minute you arrive at your hospital bed you should be preparing and thinking about getting back to your own home. This is because home is always the best, preferred and safest place to be – even if it’s to carry on with your recovery.
Family help
When visiting a loved one in hospital, don’t just chat about the weather, but see what you can do to help their recovery.
In hospital, older people can spend up to 83% of their time sitting in bed, so help keep a loved one mobile by encouraging them to get up, get dressed and if possible, sit up or move into the bedside chair.
Completing a puzzle or reading a book will improve their mood and sleep which can make a big difference to their recovery.
If appropriate loved ones can help with a patient’s mobility, lying down all day makes our muscles weaker and can also reduce the risk of pressure sores. If you are worried about them having a fall or slipping speak to the medical team on the ward who will be able to offer advice.
Where appropriate, and with consent, medical teams will involve family or carers in making decisions about a patient’s health and care. Including them in discussions or involving them before discharge can help getting home from hospital less stressful, more comfortable and smoother for all involved.
Arrangements that can be considered in advance include:
- Declaring all medications to the ward team on arrival to a ward
- Organising transport home with a loved one
- Having clean clothes and appropriate footwear ready
- Be clear on if any extra at home support is needed and how long that is in place for
Speak to the medical team on the ward to see how else a loved one can help get you home sooner.
Stay active
Staying active while you are in hospital can keep you healthy, help maintain your independence and make your stay in hospital shorter.
Sticking to a similar routine like at home, such as getting out bed and getting dressed, can help to aid your recovery and reduce your physical inactivity, better known as deconditioning.
There are lots of benefits to keeping active while you’re in hospital:
- Better breathing
- Improved sleep and mood
- Being able to fight infections
- Less risk of pressure sores
- Improved appetite
- Better able to cope when you return home
Try to stick to a normal routine
Your stay in hospital will be shorter if you try to keep to normal daily routines.
If you can, try and do the following things as these will help with your recovery – ask for help doing them if needed:
- Wear your own comfortable clothes and sturdy, secure fastening footwear
- Wash and dress yourself for the day as you normally would
- Sit up for all meals, get out of bed and in your chair if possible
- Take small steps often
- Get out of bed and move around during visiting times
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Walk to the toilet if you can, if you need help to stay steady use a walking aid
- Walk to the bathroom to clean your teeth
Food and nutrition play an important role in your recovery
Hospital menus are designed with you in mind.
Recipes are analysed to make sure they provide the right nutrition for health and wellbeing. You will be offered a range of cereals for breakfast, and a choice of hot meals, sandwiches, salads and desserts for lunch and evening meal. Drinks, including tea, coffee, water, milk and juice are available throughout the day.
Mealtimes are an important part of the day and hospitals have a ‘Protected Mealtimes’ policy, meaning you will not be interrupted during mealtimes, unless it is essential. If your mealtimes are disturbed, you need more time to eat or you have missed a meal due to a procedure, please let hospital staff know.
Let hospital staff know if:
- You have special dietary requirements such as gluten-free or Halal meals and our catering team will happily adapt recipes for your needs
- You have difficulty eating and drinking – this is normal when you’re unless so please let us know if you need assistance or want a friend or relative to be there during mealtimes to help
- If you need help with what to choose from the menu
- You have a poor appetite or have lost weight during your stay
Help speed up your recovery – and get home sooner - by following these tips:
- Try small frequent meals and snacks to boost your appetite
- Eat protein such as meat, fish, cheese or beans
- Have a dessert in addition to main meals
- Ask for cups of milk as well as hot drinks
- Ask a friend or relative to bring in your favourite snacks next time they visit
- Stay hydrated
- Eat little and often
Going home
Once you are fit enough to return home, make sure you have everything you need for your recovery and wellbeing – and your home is ready for you.
Ask a friend or relative to fill the fridge with essentials such as milk, bread and eggs and some tinned produce like soup in case you don’t feel like visiting the shops straight away.
If the forecast is chilly ask them to pop the heating on or make sure you have a warm blanket to hand and, depending how long you have been in hospital for, get them to give the house a quick check to make sure the water and heating is running properly.
Ask a neighbour or relative to pop by in a day or two to make sure there is nothing you need – or have their telephone number to hand in case you need them.
When you are ready for home the ward staff will let you know. You will have plenty of time to arrange a lift with a friend or relative but if you need help with transport arrangements, please let a member of the team know.
Some people are eligible for non-emergency patient transport services (PTS). These services provide free transport to and from hospital for people including:
- those whose condition means they need additional medical support during their journey
- those who find it difficult to walk
- parents or guardians of children who are being transported
PTS may not be available in all areas. To find out if you're eligible for PTS and how to access it, you'll need to speak to your GP or the healthcare professional who referred you to hospital.