When should I start using this checklist?

As soon as discharge becomes a possibility — ideally 24 to 72 hours before the expected discharge date. The earliest items (durable medical equipment, transportation, home setup) require lead time that families often underestimate. If the hospital gives you only a few hours' notice, work the checklist in the order it's presented and prioritize the urgent-escalation section.

Is my checklist progress saved?

Yes. Your checked items are saved in your browser's local storage on this device — no signup, no email, no account required. Returning to the page on the same device will restore your progress. Clearing your browser data or switching devices will reset the checkboxes.

Can I print the checklist?

Yes. Use the Print button at the top of the checklist. The print layout automatically expands every item's explanation, hides navigation and toolbars, and fits cleanly on letter-size paper. Many families print one copy for the discharging hospital and one for the home.

Free Tool

Hospital-Discharge Readiness Checklist

Q: What does in-home help typically cost during the first week home?

For most post-discharge situations, the relevant tier is Personal Care at $29–$37/hr (2026 Affordable Home Care agency rates in Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb counties), because hands-on assistance with bathing, transfers, and medication reminders is usually involved. Many families start with 4–8 hours per day for the first 7 days and taper from there. Use the cost calculator to model a specific schedule.

A 34-item checklist Southeast Michigan families use to prepare for a safe hospital-to-home transition — from before discharge through the first week home. Your progress is saved in your browser. No signup, no email required.

0 of 34 items complete

Saved automatically — return any time to continue.

Stage 1

Before discharge

0/8

Use this list while your loved one is still in the hospital — ideally 24–48 hours before the planned discharge. Most readmissions trace back to gaps in this section.

Stage 2

Day of discharge / ride home

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Discharge day is fast and stressful. Hospitals often discharge in mid-morning to free up beds, and details get lost. Use this short list to make sure nothing critical leaves the room with the discharge nurse.

Stage 3

First 48 hours at home

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These are the highest-risk hours after discharge. Most preventable readmissions happen here — usually because of medication confusion, an unmanaged symptom, or a fall during the first attempted bath or transfer.

Stage 4

First week

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Once the initial 48 hours pass, the focus shifts from crisis-prevention to sustainable recovery. This is when families discover what they can — and can't — keep up with on their own.

Stage 5

Urgent signs — call your provider immediately

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These are signs to call your loved one's medical provider, the 24-hour discharge line, or 911 — depending on severity. This list is for organizational awareness, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, make the call.

Hospital-specific guidance

Discharging from one of these hospitals?

Each hospital has its own discharge rhythm — case-manager workflows, pharmacy partners, transportation patterns. We've written family hand-off plans tailored to the four Southeast Michigan hospitals our caregivers see most.

FAQ

Common questions about the discharge checklist

As soon as discharge becomes a possibility — ideally 24 to 72 hours before the expected discharge date. The earliest items (durable medical equipment, transportation, home setup) need lead time families often underestimate. If notice is short, work the checklist in order and prioritize the urgent-escalation section.

Yes. Your checked items are saved in your browser's local storage on this device — no signup, no email, no account required. Returning on the same device restores your progress. Clearing browser data or switching devices resets the checkboxes.

Yes. Use the Print button at the top of the checklist. The print layout automatically expands every item's explanation, hides toolbars, and fits letter-size paper. Many families print one copy for the discharging hospital and one for home.

No. This checklist is a family-facing organizational aid based on common discharge gaps we see across Southeast Michigan hospitals. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a substitute for talking to your physician or discharge planner. For clinical decisions, contact the discharging provider, primary care office, or 911 in an emergency.

For most post-discharge situations the relevant tier is Personal Care at $29–$37/hr (2026 agency rates in Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb counties) — hands-on assistance with bathing, transfers, and medication reminders is usually involved. Many families start with 4–8 hours/day for the first 7 days and taper. Model a specific schedule on the cost calculator, or contact us for a free walk-through.

Need an extra set of hands the first week home?

Most preventable readmissions trace back to the first 7 days. A few hours per day of in-home help — for bathing, meal prep, medication reminders, or overnight presence — often makes the difference between a smooth recovery and a return trip to the hospital. We staff Southeast Michigan and can usually start within 24–48 hours.

About this checklist. This tool is a family-facing organizational aid based on common discharge gaps we see across Southeast Michigan hospitals. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a substitute for talking to your physician or discharge planner. For clinical decisions, contact the discharging provider, your loved one's primary care office, or 911 in an emergency.

The framework behind this checklist is the 12-Mile Care Standard — our family-facing decision standard for Southeast Michigan home care.