13/03/2026
Are you or a loved one about to be discharged from the hospital? Are you concerned about what will happen next and whether a care home setting will be the best option for you or your loved one?
It is important not to stay in the hospital longer than necessary. If you still need care and support while recovering from a hospital stay but no longer need hospital care, you may be discharged to a care home. This is called convalescence or respite care. Through assessments from other health and social care professionals, it may be decided that it is best to discharge you to a care home.
Before leaving the hospital, you will have a discharge plan created. This will assess your current needs and how they may change. It will plan what support you need, by whom, and any equipment that needs to be provided for you, as well as when the plan needs reassessment. Your discharge plan should exist before your consultant says you can leave the hospital.
It would help if you also had a separate care plan created to plan how your care will be delivered within the care home. Care plans are person-centred. This means that rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, such as having a standard care plan according to your medical condition, each plan is drawn up around your individual needs, preferences, and situation. Both plans should work together to ensure continuity of care as you move from hospital care to discharge to care home support.
It can be overwhelming to decide about residential care, and we are here to listen, help, and advise. If you are interested in finding out more about how Torcare can support you, please don't hesitate to contact one of our team of managers - you can call us on 01752 813677 or email us info@torcare.co.uk
