Getting your home ready for discharge

Getting your home ready

Your home may need to be adapted if you have had an illness or injury which affects your ability to move around and carry out daily tasks.

This might apply while you recover after surgery, or you might need it to manage a long-term health condition.

We sometimes refer to this as creating a 'microenvironment' in your home.

About a microenvironment

A microenvironment means the immediate surroundings in which you spend your daily life. 

Typically, we set up a microenvironment in one room. This might require moving some of your furniture and adding some specialised equipment. Examples of this equipment include a hospital bed, hoist or commode (see 'Home equipment' below).

You may need an adapted microenvironment for a long time, or you may need it for a short time. It depends on your healthcare circumstances and your expectations for recovery.

Benefits

A well set-up and accessible microenvironment can help you stay independent. It can:

• reduce the risk of falls and accidents
• reduce anxiety
• conserve energy
• allow us to discharge you home safely.

How we get your home ready

Your occupational therapist (OT) will meet you and your family or carer while you are in hospital.

They will discuss whether changes need to be made to your home so we can safely discharge you from hospital. They may recommend that we set up a microenvironment in your home.

Your OT will do the following.

• Assess your mobility and ability to carry out personal care tasks. This will help them decide the type of care support and equipment you need.
• Assess your current home environment. They can do this using photos and room measurements which your family or carer can provide. If necessary, they will visit your home.
• Recommend the type of equipment you need and how it should be set up. They will consider whether we need to move any of your own furniture into another room while you are using your adapted microenvironment.
• Liaise with community services (if needed) to help with furniture moving and/or equipment delivery. (This will depend on whether this service is available in your borough).
• Order the required equipment through your local provider. If you are eligible, they may provide it at no extra cost.
• Discuss a likely timeframe for delivery with you or your family or carer. They will also give you or your family/carer the contact details of the equipment company, so they can liaise directly with them on delivery.
  • If you no longer need your special equipment, the provider will arrange to collect it. 
• Complete a care package referral to your local social services provider. This will set out how to meet your needs in your home microenvironment and whether your family or carer needs help with moving furniture.

Home equipment

There are different types of equipment that you may need at home. These include the following.

Hoist
Sara Stedy
Hospital bed
Commode
Riser recliner

You may not need all of these items.

Your OT will discuss their recommendations with you or your family/carer, before they order any equipment for you.

Typical home set-up

The photo below shows a typical selection of microenvironment equipment. 

Your OT will discuss with you the best way to arrange the furniture and equipment in your home.