Equipment
What equipment do you need after an elderly parent leaves the hospital?
Do not guess on equipment. Ask the care team what is required, who orders it, and whether it must be in place before discharge.
Common equipment to ask about
- Walker, cane, wheelchair, gait belt, or transfer aid
- Shower chair, raised toilet seat, grab bars, non-slip mats
- Hospital bed, bedside commode, oxygen, wound-care supplies, or monitoring equipment if ordered
- Medication organizer, blood pressure cuff, scale, or thermometer if the care team wants tracking
Questions to ask
- Is this equipment medically necessary or optional?
- Who orders it and who pays for it?
- Does insurance, Medicare, or another program cover it?
- Who teaches family how to use it safely?