Hour 1: They're wheeled out the hospital doors, discharge papers in hand.
Hour 24: The medication schedule already feels confusing.
Hour 72: This is the window when most re-hospitalizations happen.
What families do — or don't do — in those first three days often decides whether recovery sticks, or whether they're back in the ER. This program walks you through exactly what matters in that window, so you're not guessing when it counts most.
Why This Program Matters
Leaving the hospital can feel like the hard part is over. It isn't. Discharge paperwork is dense, medication instructions change, and home often isn't set up for what a person actually needs to recover safely. Families are left to figure it out — fast, and usually alone. This program closes that gap, giving caregivers and their loved ones a clear, practical plan for the first critical days at home.
What You'll Learn
- How to read discharge paperwork so nothing important gets missed; restrictions, medication changes, and required follow-up care
- The home environment changes that most often prevent a repeat hospital trip; from grab bars and shower chairs to medical alert devices
- Home delivery services that reduce risk during recovery - pharmacy delivery, meal services, pre-packed medications
- Why the follow-up appointment with a primary care physician or specialist matters more than people realize
- How to honestly assess a parent's physical, mental, and environmental risk rather than taking their word that "I'm fine"
- When home health, palliative care, or hospice support might be the right next step
- How to start the harder conversation, if home isn't a safe option anymore or more help is needed
Who Should Attend
Anyone navigating a hospital discharge for an aging parent or loved one — adult children, caregivers, and seniors themselves. Whether you're preparing for a future hospital stay or in the middle of one right now, you'll leave with a plan for the 72 hours that matter most.
Program Presenter(s): To be announced. [placeholder — pulling from hospital discharge planners/case managers, home health or rehab professionals, or RN/NP with discharge-planning experience]
Location: Church at the Crossing / The Haverstick, 9111 Haverstick Rd, Indianapolis — Door 10
FREE & open to the entire community. Walk-ins welcome.
📞 317-945-0715 | ✉️ indymetronorth@acapcommunity.org | acapcommunity.org/indymetronorth