After hospital discharge: a checklist for elderly parents in India

What to collect at discharge, the first 7 days at home, warning signs to watch and how to coordinate follow-ups from abroad.

By the Athnova Care team · Updated 2026-09-29

This guide is general information to help families organise care. It is not medical advice — follow your parent's doctor.

Why the first week matters

Discharge day is rushed. Instructions are given once, to a tired family, in a corridor. The first week at home is when medicines are mixed up, follow-ups are missed and warning signs are put down to weakness. A written list prevents most of it.

Before leaving the hospital

The discharge summary, with diagnosis, procedures and the medicine list. Read it before you leave the ward.
Which of the old medicines to stop, written down.
The follow-up date, the doctor’s name and a number to call.
The warning signs that need a call back.
Wound care, diet and activity instructions.
All reports, films and the final bill with its break-up, for the insurance claim.

First 7 days at home

Someone with your parent for at least the first 48 hours.
Medicines started exactly as written. Photograph the new list and put the old strips away.
A daily check-in, and readings if the doctor asked for them.
Food, fluids, toilet and mobility help arranged.
The bed moved to the ground floor if stairs are a problem.

Call their doctor the same day if

there is fever, new breathlessness or chest pain,
the wound is red, swollen, leaking or bleeding,
there is confusion, fainting or a fall,
they cannot eat, drink or pass urine,
a leg becomes swollen or painful.

If your parent has chest pain, severe breathlessness or cannot be woken, call 112.

Follow-ups

Book the follow-up visit and any tests before you fly back. Keep the discharge summary with the emergency card, and send a copy to your siblings.

Reading the discharge summary

Diagnosis: what was found.
Procedures: what was done, with dates.
Medicines on discharge: name, strength, timing, for how many days.
Medicines stopped: which of the old ones not to take.
Follow-up: when, with whom, and which tests to bring.
Warning signs: when to come back.

If anything is unclear, ask before you leave. It is much harder to get answers by phone afterwards.

The medicine changeover

The riskiest moment is the first evening at home, when the old strips are in the drawer and the new ones are in the bag. Put the old medicines away in a separate box. Write the new schedule on one sheet, in large letters, and tape it where the medicines are kept.

If you are abroad on discharge day

Ask the person collecting your parent to photograph every page and send it at once.
Read the medicine list yourself and compare it with the old one.
Call your parent that evening and the next morning.
Put the follow-up date in your own calendar.

Help at home

If your parent needs help with bathing, walking or dressings, arrange an attendant or a nurse for the first weeks. Agencies can usually start within a day or two in large cities.

Questions families ask

What is the most important document at discharge?

The discharge summary. It lists the diagnosis, what was done and the medicines to take.

How long should someone stay with my parent after discharge?

At least the first 48 hours, and longer after surgery or if they live alone. Ask the treating doctor.

Who should keep the original discharge papers?

Keep the originals at your parent’s home in one known folder, and scans with every sibling.

Athnova Care tracks and coordinates care. It does not diagnose, prescribe or replace a doctor. In a medical emergency in India call 112.