The 48 hours after an elderly family member is discharged from hospital are among the most critical in their entire care journey. Families in Kolkata frequently find themselves unprepared — the hospital process moves fast, and by the time discharge papers are ready, there may be very little time to arrange home care. This checklist helps you prepare before discharge day arrives.
Before Discharge: The Week Before
Speak to the treating doctor and ask for a written discharge summary that includes diagnosis, medications with exact doses and timings, wound care instructions (if applicable), activity restrictions, follow-up appointment dates, and warning signs that require emergency care. Request a separate nurse handover — the ward nurse’s notes are often more practically useful than the doctor’s summary for home care.
Equipment to Set Up at Home
Depending on the condition, you may need: a hospital-grade adjustable bed (especially for post-surgical patients), an air-alternating pressure mattress (essential for bedridden patients), an oxygen concentrator (for COPD or cardiac patients), a commode chair or urinal, wheelchair or walker, and a glucometer and BP monitor. All of this can be arranged through Maximon India on a rental basis, delivered and installed at your home in Kolkata before the patient arrives.
Nursing Care: What to Ask For
Be specific about the clinical tasks the nurse will need to perform. If your parent has a fresh surgical wound, a Ryle’s tube, or an IV line that needs maintenance at home, you need a qualified nurse (GNM or B.Sc level) — not just a care attendant. Share the discharge summary with us at Maximon India before the nurse is assigned, so we can match the right qualification level to your parent’s clinical needs.
The First Week at Home
The first week is usually the most medically active. Expect the nurse to be monitoring vitals twice daily, managing dressings, administering medications, and watching for signs of infection, dehydration, or deterioration. Ensure your home nurse has the discharging doctor’s number and a clear protocol for what constitutes an emergency that requires a return to hospital.
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