I've had this happen before and am trying to make my dad's discharge from the hospital in the next few days as easy as possible, especially for me - the caregiver.
How do you get doctors, rehab centers, and social workers to understand that as a caregiver you need to have enough notice to get off work, get clothing for the patient, drive to the hospital, pick up the patient, and either prepare for in home care or going to a rehab center?
What has happened in the past is the doctor says he can go home and there's not time for me line up home caregivers and I end up having to call out of work. If he goes to a rehab center for a short stay (as he's done once before), I've had the hospital call and tell me I need to have him there by a certain time (last time they gave me two hours notice and it was extremely difficult me to do it in that time frame which put incredible stress on me).
I'm trying to explain to everyone involved that I'm an only child and I work and that I need them to give some idea of discharge so I can make appropriate plans including time I may need off of work.
I'd appreciate any ideas and stories of how other have handled this.
Thanks a lot.