I recently received a letter from a reader concerned about a problem some of her friends are facing. Either they—or their spouse—have been released from the hospital but remain weak and in need of care. These are couples in their 80s or 90s, and she wonders if any type of medical support is available after hospital discharge.
Let’s begin with the discharge process. Before a patient leaves the hospital, the medical team—including social workers and discharge planners—assesses the patient’s condition, care needs, home environment, and available support. The goal is to determine whether it’s safe for the patient to return home.