Going Home After Inpatient Rehab: How to Prepare for a Safer Transition

Leaving inpatient rehab is a big step for patients and families following a stroke, major injury, amputation, surgery, or serious illness.

“Going home isn’t the finish line,” says Brandon Taylor, MS, CCC-SLP, rehab manager for inpatient rehabilitation at Intermountain Health’s St. George Regional Hospital. “It’s just a step in your recovery.”

The safest transitions begin well before discharge day.

How Inpatient Rehab Prepares You for Home
Inpatient rehab bridges the gap between the hospital and home for patients who are medically stable but still need therapy, nursing care, and medical oversight.

“For patients who aren’t ready to go home from the acute side of the hospital, inpatient rehab provides that stepping stone toward home,” Taylor says.

Patients participate in physical, occupational, and sometimes speech therapy, working on mobility, strength, dressing, bathing, communication, memory, swallowing, and other daily skills.

Start Discharge Planning Early
“A successful discharge happens well before the day of discharge,” Taylor says. “It happens much earlier in the rehab stay.”

Families should attend therapy sessions, ask questions, learn safe transfer techniques, understand medications, and discuss what help will be available at home.

“We really need the family involved if we’re going to get your loved one home,” Taylor says. “We really need you to understand what it’s going to take when they get home.”

Know What Day One at Home May Require
Before discharge, consider these important areas:

Mobility and home setup: Clear walkways of rugs, cords, and clutter. Make sure bedrooms, bathrooms, and other frequently used areas are accessible and that recommended equipment fits through doorways.

Bathroom safety: Determine whether grab bars, shower chairs, or nonslip mats are needed. Learn safe bathroom and shower transfer techniques.

Daily routines: Understand medication schedules, plan meals and rest breaks, and know which exercises to continue and which activities to avoid.

Follow-up care: Confirm appointments, arrange transportation, determine whether home health or outpatient therapy is needed, and know whom to contact with concerns.

Let Caregiver Training Build Confidence
Hands-on practice helps families understand what level of support is needed.

“The therapists and nurses on the rehab unit are their best source of information,” Taylor says.

Training may include helping someone stand, walk, use a wheelchair, transfer from bed to chair, shower, or manage daily activities.

Sometimes, Taylor says, a caregiver attempts a bathroom transfer and realizes, “Wow, this is a lot for one person. I’m going to need some help with this.”

Recognizing these challenges early allows families to arrange additional support before discharge.

Use the Home Evaluation When Appropriate
For some patients, the rehab team may recommend a home evaluation.

At St. George Regional Hospital, patients can sometimes visit their homes during inpatient rehab to practice navigating doorways, hallways, bathrooms, beds, and stairs.

The team may identify obstacles or equipment needs that weren’t apparent in the hospital. Although not every patient qualifies, a home evaluation can help make the transition safer and less overwhelming.

Avoid Common Discharge Misconceptions
One common mistake is assuming home will function exactly as it did before. Familiar surroundings can be motivating, but a favorite chair may be too low, a bathroom difficult to navigate, or caregiving demands greater than expected.

Another misconception is that leaving the hospital means recovery is complete.

“Patients often think that once they leave the hospital, they will be fully recovered, but that’s not the finish line,” Taylor says. “Recovery may continue for weeks or months through therapy, follow-up visits, daily exercises, medication adjustments, and gradual progress toward personal goals.”

Ask the Right Questions Before Leaving Rehab
Before discharge, patients and caregivers should understand:

• Medications: What medications are prescribed, when should they be taken, what side effects should be monitored, and whom should patients contact with questions?
• Equipment: What equipment is needed, how is it used safely, and whom should patients contact if problems arise?
• Therapy and recovery: Will home health or outpatient therapy be necessary? What exercises should continue, and which activities should be avoided?
• Symptoms: What is normal during recovery, when should a provider be contacted, and what symptoms require urgent care?
• Caregiving: What daily assistance is needed, can one person provide it safely, and who else should be involved?

Prepare for Recovery, Not Perfection
Going home after inpatient rehab can bring relief, joy, stress, and uncertainty.

“They’ll be more successful if they have engaged family members there who are learning and ready to go when they discharge,” Taylor says.

At Intermountain Health, inpatient rehabilitation teams help patients and caregivers prepare through education, therapy, caregiver training, home evaluations when appropriate, and follow-up planning.