The families who prepare in advance get better recovery outcomes—here’s your complete preparation checklist
Coming home from the hospital is a huge relief, but it can also feel overwhelming.
You’re exhausted from the hospital stay. You’re worried about managing recovery at home. And you’re waiting for that first home health nursing visit, thinking, “The nurse will tell us what to do when they arrive.”
But here’s the truth that discharge planners often don’t emphasize: the more prepared you are before the first home health visit, the safer and smoother recovery will be.
That first visit sets the foundation for everything that follows. Families who prepare thoroughly report feeling more confident, asking better questions, and experiencing fewer complications during recovery.
Today, we’re sharing the five critical things you should prepare before your first home health nursing visit—preparations that can prevent medication errors, reduce fall risk, and set you up for successful recovery from day one.
Why Preparation Matters for Recovery Success
The first home health nursing visit is not just an introduction. It’s a comprehensive assessment that determines your entire care plan, identifies safety risks in your home, and establishes baselines for monitoring your condition going forward.
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, nearly 20% of Medicare patients are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. Many of these readmissions are preventable and related to issues that could have been identified during the first home health visit—if the family was adequately prepared.
The Impact of Preparation
When you’re prepared for the first home health visit:
✅ The nurse can focus on clinical assessment instead of hunting for medication bottles or deciphering unclear discharge instructions
✅ You receive better education because the nurse has more time to teach rather than organize
✅ Safety hazards are identified quickly and can be addressed before causing falls or injuries
✅ Your care plan is more accurate because it’s based on complete information
✅ You feel more confident because you understand what’s happening and what to expect
Prepared families consistently report higher satisfaction with home health services and better adherence to care plans—both factors that directly impact recovery outcomes.
Preparation #1: Gather All Medications in One Place
This is the single most important preparation you can make—and the one families most often overlook or underestimate.
What to Gather
Collect and place in one visible location:
Prescription Medications:
- Every prescription bottle you have at home
- New prescriptions filled at hospital discharge
- Old prescriptions you’re not sure about
- Medications from multiple pharmacies
- Medications that might have been discontinued
Over-the-Counter Medications:
- Pain relievers (Tylenol, Advil, aspirin)
- Antacids and digestive aids
- Allergy medications
- Sleep aids
- Cold and flu remedies
Supplements and Vitamins:
- Multivitamins
- Individual vitamin supplements (D, B12, C, etc.)
- Mineral supplements (calcium, iron, magnesium)
- Herbal supplements
- Probiotics
Other Products:
- Topical creams and ointments
- Eye drops
- Inhalers
- Any other product you use for health purposes
Why This Is Critical
According to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, medication errors occur in nearly 50% of hospital-to-home transitions. These errors include:
- Taking both the old medication and the new replacement
- Missing newly prescribed medications
- Continuing medications that were discontinued
- Incorrect dosing or timing
- Dangerous drug interactions
Your home health nurse will perform medication reconciliation, comparing what the hospital says you should take with what you actually have at home. This process identifies discrepancies, eliminates duplicates, and ensures you’re on the correct regimen.
Important: Don’t Clean Out Before the Visit
Many well-meaning families throw away “old” medications before the nurse arrives, thinking they’re being helpful. Don’t do this.
The nurse needs to see everything to determine:
- What’s outdated and should be discarded
- What’s duplicate and potentially dangerous
- What you’re taking that wasn’t documented
- What should have been discontinued but you’re still using
Let the nurse guide you through what to keep and what to safely dispose of.
Create a Medication List
If you have time before the visit, create a simple list documenting:
- Medication name
- Dosage (strength)
- Frequency (how often you take it)
- What it’s for (if you know)
This preparation helps the nurse work more efficiently, but don’t stress if you can’t complete it—just having the bottles available is the most important thing.
Preparation #2: Create a Safe, Accessible Space
Falls are the leading cause of injury in recovering patients. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of four older adults falls each year, and falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries in this population.
Your home health nurse will conduct a safety assessment during the first visit, but addressing obvious hazards beforehand demonstrates commitment to recovery and allows the nurse to focus on less obvious risks you might miss.
Clear Walkways and Remove Obstacles
What to do:
- Remove clutter from hallways and main pathways
- Clear electrical cords from walking areas
- Move furniture that creates narrow passages
- Remove or secure decorative items on the floor (plants, vases, etc.)
- Ensure clear paths from bedroom to bathroom
Why it matters: Mobility is often impaired during recovery. What was easy to navigate before might be impossible with a walker, challenging with decreased strength, or dangerous with medication-induced dizziness.
Eliminate Tripping Hazards
What to do:
- Remove loose rugs and throw rugs entirely
- Secure carpet edges that are curling
- Fix uneven thresholds between rooms
- Remove low furniture like ottomans and footstools from main pathways
- Tape down or cover exposed cords
Why it matters: Even small obstacles become major fall risks when you’re using a walker, experiencing weakness, or taking medications that affect balance and coordination.
Improve Lighting Throughout the Home
What to do:
- Ensure hallways are well-lit, especially at night
- Install nightlights in the bedroom, hallway, and bathroom
- Replace burned-out bulbs before the visit
- Increase wattage in dim areas (if safe for fixtures)
- Consider motion-sensor lights for middle-of-the-night bathroom trips
Why it matters: Poor lighting contributes to falls, especially for older adults with declining vision or when navigating in an unfamiliar state (post-surgery, medication side effects, or general weakness).
Address Mobility Equipment Needs
If your loved one uses a walker or wheelchair:
What to do:
- Measure doorways to ensure adequate clearance (standard wheelchairs need 32-36 inches)
- Remove furniture creating tight squeezes
- Ensure the bathroom is accessible with mobility equipment
- Create clear turning space in key rooms
- Consider where mobility equipment will be stored when not in use
Why it matters: Discovering mobility equipment doesn’t fit through doorways or into the bathroom creates immediate safety issues and stress.
Bathroom Safety Is Critical
The bathroom is where most falls occur. Before the first visit:
What to do:
- Consider installing grab bars near the toilet and in the shower/tub
- Place a shower chair or bench if needed
- Use non-slip bath mats both inside and outside the tub/shower
- Consider a raised toilet seat if mobility is significantly impaired
- Ensure the bathroom floor is dry and non-slippery
- Remove bathmats that could slide
Why it matters: Bathrooms combine slippery surfaces, hard surfaces, and tasks requiring balance (standing to shower, sitting/standing from toilet). This combination makes them the highest-risk room in the home.
Place Frequently Used Items Within Easy Reach
What to do:
- Move commonly used items to waist height
- Eliminate need to reach overhead or bend to floor level
- Place the phone, medications, water, and remote controls within arm’s reach of the bed or chair
- Ensure eyeglasses, tissues, and other necessities are easily accessible
- Consider a bedside caddy or table for nighttime needs
Why it matters: Reaching and bending increase fall risk. Keeping essentials accessible reduces dangerous movements during recovery.
Preparation #3: Have All Discharge Paperwork Ready and Organized
Hospital discharge happens quickly—often too quickly. You’re handed a stack of papers, maybe given a brief explanation, and sent home. Before the home health visit, take time to organize these critical documents.
Essential Paperwork to Locate
Hospital Discharge Summary:
- Overview of your hospital stay
- Diagnoses and procedures performed
- Summary of treatment received
- Discharge condition and prognosis
Discharge Instructions:
- Activity restrictions
- Dietary recommendations
- Wound care instructions
- When to call the doctor
- Warning signs to watch for
Medication List from Hospital:
- What medications the hospital says you should be taking
- Dosages and frequencies
- Changes from your pre-hospital regimen
- New medications added
- Medications discontinued
Follow-Up Appointments:
- Dates and times scheduled
- Which doctors or specialists
- Location and contact information
- Any preparation needed for appointments
Physician Orders for Home Health:
- The official order authorizing home health services
- Specific services ordered (skilled nursing, physical therapy, etc.)
- Frequency and duration specified
Medical Equipment Information:
- Instructions for any equipment (oxygen, CPAP, monitors, wound vacs)
- Supplier contact information
- Troubleshooting guidance
Contact Information:
- Primary care physician
- Specialists involved in your care
- Hospital discharge coordinator
- Pharmacy information
How to Organize Paperwork
Create a dedicated folder or binder:
- Use dividers for different categories
- Place most critical documents in front
- Keep it in one consistent location
- Make it accessible to all caregivers
Make copies if needed:
- The nurse may need copies of certain documents
- Having extras prevents having to search for originals later
Highlight critical information:
- Mark important dates, restrictions, or instructions
- Note items you have questions about
Why This Preparation Matters
Discharge paperwork guides the nurse’s initial assessment and care plan development. According to the Joint Commission, poor communication during care transitions—including unclear or missing discharge information—contributes significantly to adverse events and hospital readmissions.
When paperwork is organized and available:
- The nurse can quickly understand your medical situation
- Care planning is more accurate and comprehensive
- Coordination with your physicians is smoother
- You avoid confusion about conflicting instructions
- Nothing important falls through the cracks
Preparation #4: Know Your Biggest Concerns and Write Them Down
In the stress and information overload of the first home health visit, it’s remarkably easy to forget the questions that have been keeping you up at night. Important concerns slip your mind, and you remember them only after the nurse leaves.
Categories of Questions to Prepare
About Current Symptoms:
- Is this pain level normal after this type of surgery/condition?
- Should I be concerned about increased confusion or disorientation?
- How do I know if the wound is healing properly versus showing signs of infection?
- Is this amount of fatigue expected, or could it indicate a problem?
- When should swelling start to decrease?
About Medications:
- What should I do if I miss a dose?
- Can I take this medication with food, or does it need an empty stomach?
- What side effects should I watch for?
- How long until I see improvement from this medication?
- Can I take over-the-counter pain relievers with these prescriptions?
About Daily Activities:
- Can my loved one shower, or should they take sponge baths only?
- Is it safe to use stairs, or should we create a bedroom downstairs?
- What activities should be avoided during recovery?
- When can they return to driving?
- Are there dietary restrictions I should know about?
About What’s Normal:
- How long does recovery from this condition typically take?
- What warning signs mean I should call the doctor immediately?
- When should I start seeing improvement?
- Is it normal for appetite to be decreased?
- Should I expect good days and bad days, or steady improvement?
About Care Tasks:
- How do I properly change this wound dressing?
- What’s the correct way to help them transfer from bed to chair?
- How often should vital signs be checked at home?
- What do I do if they refuse to take medications?
Write Everything Down
Before the visit:
- Use a notebook or smartphone to list all questions
- Don’t worry if questions seem basic—there are no stupid questions
- Organize by priority (most important first)
- Leave space to write answers
During the visit:
- Have the list visible and refer to it
- Don’t hesitate to interrupt if something isn’t clear
- Take notes on the answers
- Ask the nurse to repeat or clarify anything confusing
Why This Matters
Home health nurses allocate significant time for patient and family education during the first visit. According to the Home Healthcare Nurses Association, patient and family education is one of the most critical components of successful home health outcomes.
When you have questions prepared:
- You use the educational time effectively
- You get the specific information you need
- You feel more confident managing care between visits
- You’re less likely to call with preventable concerns
- You become a more effective care partner
Remember: nurses expect questions. They want you to ask. Your questions help them understand what education you need and where you might need additional support.
Preparation #5: Ensure a Family Member or Caregiver Is Present
If at all possible, have a family member or primary caregiver present during the first home health visit. This might seem like common sense, but many families don’t realize how critical this is.
Why Having Someone Present Matters
Improved Information Retention:
According to research on health literacy, patients retain only about 40-80% of the medical information provided to them, and much of what they do remember is incorrect. Having two people hear the same information significantly improves retention and accuracy.
Shared Responsibility:
If multiple people will be providing care or supporting recovery, everyone needs the same information and training. Having the primary caregiver present ensures consistency in how care is provided.
Emotional Support:
The first home health visit can be overwhelming. You’re processing a lot of information while potentially feeling anxious, tired, or stressed. Having emotional support helps you process information better and ask questions more effectively.
Second Set of Eyes and Ears:
One person might catch something the other misses. You might focus on one aspect of the explanation while your family member focuses on another. Together, you create a more complete picture.
Advocate Role:
A second person can ask clarifying questions you might not think of, ensure nothing important gets overlooked, and advocate for your needs if you’re too tired or uncomfortable to do so yourself.
Demonstration Learning:
When nurses teach wound care, safe transfers, medication administration, or other hands-on techniques, having multiple people learn together ensures:
- Continuity if one caregiver isn’t available
- Someone to help practice between visits
- Shared confidence in performing care tasks
Who Should Be Present
The ideal person to have present is:
- Primary caregiver or family decision-maker
- Someone who will be regularly involved in care
- Someone who can take notes and remember details
- Someone who feels comfortable asking questions
Scheduling Considerations
If you’re the primary caregiver but work during the day:
- Request the first visit at a time when you can be present
- Most home health agencies accommodate scheduling requests for initial assessments
- Explain that you need to be available for the first visit
- Consider taking time off work if necessary—this visit is that important
What If You Absolutely Can’t Be Present
If circumstances make it truly impossible for a family member to be present:
- Ask if the visit can be rescheduled to a time when someone can attend
- Request that the nurse call a family member during the visit for critical information
- Ask the nurse to document key information in writing
- Schedule a follow-up call or visit to review information you missed
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will the first home health visit last?
The first visit typically lasts 90 minutes to 2 hours. This is significantly longer than subsequent visits because it includes comprehensive assessment, medication reconciliation, home safety evaluation, care plan development, and extensive patient education.
Should I clean my house before the nurse arrives?
Focus on safety, not cosmetic cleanliness. Clear pathways, remove hazards, and ensure good lighting—but don’t stress about deep cleaning or perfect tidiness. Nurses have seen it all and aren’t judging your housekeeping.
What if I don’t have all my discharge paperwork?
Do your best to gather what you have. If paperwork is missing, the nurse can contact the hospital or your doctor to obtain necessary information. Don’t delay the visit due to missing papers—just have available what you can find.
Can I reschedule if I’m not prepared?
Yes, but consider whether rescheduling is truly necessary. Minor unpreparedness shouldn’t delay needed care. However, if you’re missing critical elements (like all medications are at the pharmacy being filled), rescheduling might be appropriate.
What if my loved one is resistant to having a nurse in the home?
This is common. Explain that the nurse is there to help them stay home and avoid returning to the hospital. Having a family member present often helps reduce anxiety. The nurse is trained to work with resistant patients and build trust gradually.
Will the same nurse come to all visits?
Most home health agencies try to provide consistency with the same nurse for ongoing visits. However, illness, vacations, or scheduling might occasionally require different nurses. Ask about their continuity of care practices.
What if I think of questions after the nurse leaves?
Call the agency. Most have nurses available by phone to answer questions between visits. Don’t wait until the next visit if you have urgent concerns—that’s what phone support is for.
Do I need to provide anything for the nurse?
No. The nurse brings all necessary supplies and equipment for assessments and procedures. You don’t need to provide anything except the preparations discussed in this article.
The Bottom Line: Preparation Equals Better Outcomes
Home health care isn’t just a visit—it’s a partnership designed to keep your loved one safe, supported, and out of the hospital.
That partnership begins with the first visit. When you prepare thoroughly by gathering medications, creating a safe space, organizing paperwork, preparing questions, and having family present, you set the foundation for successful recovery.
Research consistently shows that patients who are well-prepared for home health services experience better outcomes: fewer hospital readmissions, better medication adherence, fewer falls and complications, and higher satisfaction with care.
You’ve just been through a hospitalization—one of the most stressful experiences families face. Don’t let lack of preparation for the first home health visit undermine your recovery. Use this checklist, prepare thoroughly, and enter that first visit with confidence.
How Enchanted Hearts Home Health Supports Your Recovery
At Enchanted Hearts Home Health, we understand that the transition from hospital to home is overwhelming. We’re here to guide you through every step, starting with that critical first visit.
Our Approach to First Visits
When you choose Enchanted Hearts, you can expect:
✅ Thorough preparation guidance – We help you know exactly what to prepare before our first visit
✅ Comprehensive assessment – We take the time needed to fully understand your situation
✅ Clear communication – We explain everything in plain language and welcome all questions
✅ Skilled, experienced nurses – Our team has the expertise to provide quality clinical care
✅ Coordination with your physicians – We work directly with your doctors to ensure coordinated care
✅ Medicaid-certified services – We accept Medicaid with no copayment for eligible individuals
Our Home Health Services Include:
Skilled Nursing:
- Medication management and education
- Wound care and dressing changes
- Vital sign monitoring
- Chronic disease management
- Post-surgical care
- Catheter and feeding tube care
Care Coordination:
- Communication with physicians
- Coordination with therapists
- Care plan updates
- Transition planning
Patient and Family Education:
- Disease management
- Warning sign recognition
- Medication instruction
- Safe care techniques
Get Started with Enchanted Hearts Home Health
Preparing for hospital discharge or already home and need skilled nursing services?
Contact Enchanted Hearts Home Health today:
📞 Phone: (800) 239 1897
✉️ Email: [email protected]
🌐 Schedule Online: https://enchantedheartsllc.com/contact/
📍 Location: 650 N Girls School Rd b20, Indianapolis, IN, 46214, USA
Schedule Your Free Consultation
During your consultation, we’ll:
- Answer your questions about home health services
- Explain what to prepare for the first visit
- Assess your eligibility for services
- Coordinate with your physician
- Create a personalized care plan
No cost. No obligation. Just expert guidance when you need it most.
At Enchanted Hearts Home Health, we’re committed to supporting successful recovery at home. From that critical first visit through ongoing care, we’re your partner in health, safety, and independence. Contact us today to learn how we can support your family’s journey.