Use a Care Conference to Make the Transition Home Easier

A Care Conference may also be called a Interdisciplinary Team Meeting (IDT), a Case or Care conference. They all have the same goal, create a care plan for transitioning a care recepient from the hospital or facility to home based care. In a hospital setting, there are multiple staff members available around the clock. At home, support falls largely on just a few, often with limited experience in providing needed care. The goal of a Care Conference is to help the home care team be as prepared as possible before the client or family member leaves the hospital or facility.

One of the most valuable tools available to family caregivers is a Care Conference — a meeting with the healthcare team specifically designed to prepare families for the transition to home care. If your facility does not automatically schedule one, ask for it. You have every right to request this before discharge.

A Care Conference brings together the relevant members of your loved one’s healthcare team — nurses, therapists, case managers, and sometimes physicians — to discuss what daily care will look like at home, what equipment is needed, and what training you will need before leaving the facility.

A huge part of discharge preparation should be hands-on training. Before you leave, make sure you are comfortable with the specific tasks you will be responsible for. Nursing assistants and physical or occupational therapists are excellent resources for practicing turning and repositioning techniques, safe transfer methods, and how to operate any equipment the person will use at home.

Key Questions to Ask at the Care Conference

• What equipment is currently being used, and what will be needed at home?
• Is a portable patient lift needed for transfers from bed to wheelchair or standing? Lifting and transfering a client can be difficult and dangerous for both the client and caregiver. A client who is not weight bearing can not assist in the transfer, it is best to have 2 people assist when using a floor lift.
• What bed type and mattress surface has the physician ordered, and what type is recommended for home? A hi-low bed bed paired with the right mattress are integral for safe and comfortable rest.
• What supplies will be needed, and where should they be stored for easy access?
• What are the daily care schedules and procedures — repositioning, hygiene, medications?
• Is there appropriate egress options and space in the bathroom?
• Who should I call if I have questions or concerns after discharge?

Equipment to Think About Before You Leave

During the Care Conference, ask specifically about what equipment is currently in use and what the team recommends for home. Common items to consider include a patient lift for transfers, a hi-low hospital bed for caregiver safety, a therapy mattress to prevent or treat skin breakdown, a shower chair or bath bench, and any mobility aids the person will need for moving around the home. Having these in place before your loved one arrives home — not after — makes the transition significantly smoother.

Know a family preparing for a loved one to come home from the hospital? Share this with them — a little preparation makes a very big difference.

✉ Share this article by email