Navigating the Hospital Discharge Process: What Caregivers Need to Know
May 13, 2025
POSTED IN: Aging TAGS: Healthcare, Long-Term Care Facilities
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When a loved one is hospitalized, its easy to feel overwhelmed, especially when navigating the hospital discharge process.My loved one is being discharged from the hospital already? Now what? is a common question asked of the Hurley Elder Care Law team.Here are key pieces of advice that can help make navigating the hospital discharge process smoother and less stressful for families:Start Planning EarlyBegin discharge planning as soon as your loved one is admitted.While it may feel too soon, early planning gives you more time to coordinate care, explore resources, and make informed decisions.Appoint a Family Point PersonDesignating a single family member as the primary communicator can reduce confusion and ensure consistent information sharing with hospital staff and your family.Catch the Doctors on Morning RoundsIts often challenging to speak directly with your loved ones physician.
Arriving at the hospital earlyaround 8:00 a.m.increases your chances of catching the doctor during morning rounds.Understand Medicare RequirementsIf a discharge to a skilled nursing or rehab facility is likely, make sure your loved one is admitted under inpatient statusnot observation.Medicare requires a minimum three-day inpatient hospital stay to qualify for rehab coverage.Observation status doesnt count, which can lead to unexpected out-of-pocket costs.Know What Your Insurance CoversReview Medicare policies and Medicare Advantage plans carefully before enrollment.
Many Advantage plans have stricter coverage limitations for post-acute care, and families are often surprised by whats not included.Communicate with the Therapy TeamThe hospitals therapy team determines discharge to a rehab facility based on the patients progress and needs.Keep open communication with them and the hospitals care coordinator to advocate for your loved ones best outcome.Home Health vs.Home CareKnow the DifferenceNot all discharges lead to a facilitymany patients go directly home.
Thats when understanding your options becomes especially important.Kelsie Scott, LCSW and Care Coordinator at Hurley Elder Care Law, explains:Home health care and home care are not the same.A physician prescribes home health and includes skilled services like nursing, physical therapy, or speech therapyusually for a short period after discharge.On the other hand, home care includes non-medical support like help with meals, light housekeeping, and companionship, and Medicare does not cover it.Knowing which services are needed ensures a safe and seamless transition home.The Bottom Line:Hospital discharges can be fast-paced and emotionally taxing.
But with the proper knowledge and preparation, caregivers can better advocate for their loved ones and ensure the next stephome, rehab, or another care settingis as smooth as possible.Do you need help navigating a complex hospital discharge or long-term care plan? Our team at Hurley Elder Care Law is here to support you.Call our intake specialists at 404-843-0121 for a complimentary phone consultation.Virtual appointments or in-person meetings at our four convenient locations (Atlanta, Duluth, Peachtree City, or Woodstock) are available with our experienced elder law attorneys.
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Posted in AgingTags: Healthcare, Long-Term Care Facilities
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Client TestimonialsSuperb service through a difficult maze of governmental regulations and requirements which are not navigable by an individual without a depth of knowledge that far exceeds mine.Wallace M.Hurley Elder Care Law went to work for my Mother and navigated all of the Government red tape and got her approved for Medicaid in short order.I, as her POA, could not even begin to climb the mountain of paperwork on my own.David Q.All I can say is Wow ! I have never seen a team attack and solve a problem like Hurley.We lost our father and two weeks later our mother suffered a severe stroke.
Nursing home costs were draining their life savings, but Hurley found a solution and got things under control.Gary G.It's impossible to accurately describe the lost feeling of realizing you need power of attorney, updated will and general guidance all of a sudden when dealing with a parent with dementia.The firms responsiveness has been superb, their work flawless and their advice kind, compassionate and professional.I'll forever know that their guidance prevented us from making many bad decisions.Neal R.Due to aging, escalating health and cost concerns for both my husband and myself, I chose to work with Hurley Elder Care to do care and estate planning.
I am so very pleased with the result.I have a much improved understanding of the complexity of this process, the necessary documents, timing, regulations and the need for professional guidance.Gina M.Very comfortable atmosphere.They treat you like you are one of the family.Val B.
Very knowledgeable of all areas within Elder Law.
Very approachable and ready to educate and advocate for those in need.read moreread less Kendall Harvin 3/26/2025 I would highley recommend Jennifer Ghorley and her paralegal, Kierstan Dickey, for any issue regarding senior law.They not only prepared wills for my husband and I, but also helped me through a probate court procedure after my husband's death.They were very thorough, patient and always ready to answer any question that i might have had.
Nancy Alexanderread moreread less Nancy Alexander 2/21/2025 A great institution that provides a much neglected but critical role in healthcare and beyond.Nola Hurley is an incredible face to the group and their team of attorneys are some of the most knowledgeable professionals who have thought through some life affairs that catches many off guard.I plan to use their services for family and professional referrals.read moreread less Sosena Kebede 11/11/2024 I couldnt have had a more pleasant experience when trying to navigate a situation that I wasnt prepared for.
Hurley Elder Care Law as a whole and the many people who assisted me were so kind, considerate and helpful every step of the process I was going through.I personally would like to thank Megan, Paul, Jennifer and especially Kiersten for helping me, keeping me on track and keeping me informed all the way through.I am very grateful.
Anyone is in need of a friendly and super law firm.I Highly recommended Hurley Elder Care Lawread moreread less Jim Anders 10/02/2024 I have had the privilege to work with Hurley Elder Care at a time in my life when I thought my world would crumble dealing with a difficult situation with my elderly parents.I cannot say enough nice things about the staff (specifically Kaila and Nicole).
These two kept me calm and answered all of my questions quickly.The dust has finally settled and I am beyond thankful for Mr.Hurley and his above and beyond staff!! I HIGHLY recommend this law firm for your elderly needs!!read moreread less Marci Ray 9/27/2024 During my wife's illness and eventual passing.
I can't express the professionalism and compassion I recieved from this law group.They were and are friends who I'll never forget.read moreread less Richard Nicholson 8/15/2024 Highly recommend Hurley Law.Everyone was so helpful.
Kelsie helped me through an extremely tough time with my Mom.Kelsie, Andrew and all of the staff got back to me quickly and walked me though everything.Thank you so much!!!!read moreread less Tricia Woodward 8/15/2024 The staff is very friendly and professional! The office is in a great location.
Everything was explained thoroughly.Great team of lawyers for your estate planningread moreread less denise bradley 8/07/2024 Wonderful law firm to work with.Everyone is so helpful and friendly.
They take time to answer questions and listen to your needs but are extremely efficient in delivering the documents required.Amazing experience all the way around!read moreread less David Dorsett 8/03/2024 Very knowledgeable and efficient! Smooth transaction handled professionally!read moreread less doris housley 7/17/2024 Caring professionals who have helped me feel much more secure about the future.read moreread less Jan Batson 7/16/2024 We had a great experience with Hurley Elder Law.They helped us put my parents wills, advanced directive and POA in order.
They hold informative classes helping families to navigate all the new policies, laws and resources.Highly recommend.read moreread less Lisa McIntyre 5/17/2024 We were pleased with the methodical, thorough approach Hurley used to update or wills and handle details of our estate planning.We highly recommend their services.read moreread less Don Barnett 5/17/2024 I needed to redraft my will, health care directive and power of attorney after my divorce and estrangement from a child.
Needless to say, it was an emotionally delicate process but Jennifer was incredibly sympathetic and really knows her stuff! Shes uber-professional but personable and the entire revision process took a matter of several weeks and was fairly priced.I love that the firm sends newsletters with articles that are of interest to those in the later stages of life and their loved ones who might be caring for them.Nobody enjoys thinking about their eventual demise but it must be done if you want to make it easier for those left behind.
Highly recommend!read moreread less Karen Stearns 4/10/2024 Working with Jennifer and her team at Hurley was a great experience.Communication is excellent and they were very professional and efficient throughout the entire process.Highly recommend them!read moreread less Harris Wattles 3/08/2024 Wish I could give 10 stars.
We left the meeting knowing we had received excellent advice.Advice was very clear and easy for my mother to understand.We feel so lucky to have found Hurley Elder Care Law.read moreread less Tammy Davis 2/04/2024
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