How to Prep for a Hospital Stay

• How to Be Well-Prepared for a Loved One’s Hospital Stay
• Know the Hospital’s Safety Rating
• Know “Who’s Who” and What They Do
• How to Share Any Concerns About Care
• Plan Ahead for Discharge
• Create a Record of medications, allergies and vaccines
• Take Care of the Caretakers

Handy Forms to Help Stay on Top of Important Details During and after a  Hospital Stay

• Medication Record for Hospital Admission
• Daily Care Notes
• Action Plan for Care During Recovery at Home
• Medications to Take After a Hospital Stay

Tips for a Safe Hospital Stay

• How to Help Prevent Superbug Infections (Staph, MRSA, Others)
• How to Help Prevent a Bloodstream Infection (and possible sepsis)
• How to Help Prevent Medication Mistakes
• How to Help Prevent A Blood Clot
• How to Help Prevent Falls and Fractures
• How to Help Prevent Painful Bed Sores (Pressure Wounds/Pressure Ulcers)
• How to Help Prevent Pneumonia from a Ventilator (VAP)
• How to Help Prevent a Urinary Tract Infection from a Catheter (UTI/CAUTI)
• Help Prevent C. Diff Infection

How to Support Safe Surgery

• How to Gather Good Info for Surgery Decisions
• How to Help A Loved One Prepare for Surgery
• How to Help the Day of Surgery
• How to Support Recovery from Surgery

How to Support Safe & Sound Pregnancy, Birth, & Recovery

• How to Support a Safe Pregnancy
• How to Help Support Care During Labor and Delivery
• How to Support Recovery at Home After Childbirth

How to Plan and Support Recovery at Home (after any hospital stay)

• Prep for Discharge and Transition to Home
• Action Plan to Support Daily Living and Medical Needs
• Supplies to Have on Hand for Recovery
• How to Safety-Proof the Home
• How to Avoid Medication Mistakes at Home
• Chart of Medicines to Take After Leaving the Hospital
• Remove Medications No Longer Needed
• Common Signs of Recovery Setbacks (and what to do)

Tips on ER/Emergency Room Care

• How to Prep for – and Support – ER Care in a Hospital

Tips for Managing Doctors’ Care

• Prep for meeting with Doctor
• Prep for Telehealth Meeting with Doctor 
• “Pain Map”
• Get the Right Diagnosis: Know All Choices for Treatment

How to Choose Palliative or Hospice Care

“Palliative” and “hospice” are often used as if they were the same – and they are not.  Use this checklist to help make decisions that best fit your loved one’s needs and wishes.

• How to Choose Palliative or Hospice Care

“Caution” Medications for Children and Seniors

Age makes a difference in how we process medications: children and seniors are affected most.

• The KIDs List
• The Beers List

How to Evaluate Senior Residential Communities

Continuing Care (beginning with independent living), Assisted Living (AL), Memory Care, Long-term Care (LTC, “nursing home”)

It’s a big decision! Use these checklists and questions to help make a choice based on quality, safety, and fit for evolving needs.

• How to Prepare for a Decision
• How to Screen Options by Phone (questions and topics to cover)
• What to Look for When Touring 
• How to Uncover All Costs