How to arrange care after hospital discharge

To arrange care after hospital discharge, start planning before the person leaves hospital and ask the team about free NHS intermediate care, which lasts for up to six weeks. If support is still needed at home, the main options are visiting care, overnight care or live-in care. Funding depends on an NHS or council assessment of needs and, for the council, finances.

This guide covers what to check before discharge, how NHS and council funding work in England for 2026 to 2027, and how to compare care options. It is general information rather than financial or legal advice, so a social worker, GP or regulated adviser can confirm what applies to your family.

What does hospital discharge planning involve?

Discharge planning should begin on admission, or before a planned procedure. The hospital team, social care staff, the person and their family all take part. NICE guidance expects discharge planning to begin on admission, with the person and their family involved in the decisions about where they go next.

Before the person leaves, check that:

• a senior clinician has confirmed they are ready to go home
• they have a written plan for support at home
• their needs have been assessed, including changes to mobility, memory or daily tasks
• equipment such as a bed, grab rails or a shower chair is in place
• their GP has been told about the discharge

If they are returning with ongoing needs, decide early whether visiting care or live-in care is right for them.

What is an unsafe discharge?

An unsafe discharge from the hospital happens when a person is sent home before adequate support is in place. This can occur when there is poor coordination between the hospital and community health services, or when a family member is put under pressure to accept a caring role before they are ready.

Common problems associated with unsafe discharge include:

• Being discharged before the person is medically fit, which can lead to rapid deterioration or emergency readmission.
• Being sent home without a mental capacity assessment, where one is needed, particularly for people living with dementia.
• Family members not being involved in decisions about aftercare arrangements.

What is an unsafe discharge?

An unsafe discharge happens when someone goes home before the right support is in place. Warning signs include discharge before the person is medically fit, no plan for support at home, and family members being left out of decisions. For people living with dementia, the team should assess their mental capacity and how they are coping before they leave the ward, in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

If you have concerns, raise them with the ward manager, the discharge coordinator or the social worker on the case. You can also ask for a copy of the hospital’s discharge policy. When a parent is reluctant to accept help, families often need to plan for that resistance as well as the practical arrangements.

What support is available after hospital discharge?

Once someone is ready to leave hospital, NHS support, council funding and Attendance Allowance can each contribute, but they work differently and depend on different assessments.

Intermediate care

Intermediate care, also called reablement, helps someone regain their independence after hospital. It is free for up to six weeks, is not means-tested, and can be as short as one or two weeks. It can be provided at home or in a care setting. Hospital social workers usually arrange it, so the person does not need to apply. Age UK explains in its intermediate care factsheet how progress is reviewed before the period ends. If support is still needed after six weeks, the council may charge for some ongoing services.

NHS continuing care

NHS Continuing Healthcare is free NHS care for people whose main need is health. It starts with a checklist, which a nurse, doctor, other healthcare professional or social worker can complete. A positive result leads to a full assessment, and the NHS usually decides within 28 days. Eligibility is not based on a diagnosis alone. If the person is found eligible, their care is reviewed within three months, then at least once a year.

Council support and Attendance Allowance

Councils use a means test to decide how much they will contribute, looking at both income and savings. The needs assessment is free for everyone. For 2026 to 2027, savings above £23,250 are counted in full, savings between £14,250 and £23,250 are partly counted, and savings below £14,250 are not counted. The person’s home is not counted when care at home is assessed.

Attendance Allowance can help fund care at home. It is not means-tested and is paid to people at State Pension age or over. From April 2026 to April 2027, the lower rate is £76.70 a week, and the higher rate is £114.60 a week. The GOV.UK criteria set out who qualifies.

What care options are there after discharge?

Additionally, there may be discussions with the family concerning the choice of residential care or whether different forms of home care, such as live-in care, are appropriate.

What care options are available after hospital discharge?

• Visiting care suits needs that are predictable and can be met in set visits
• Live-in care places a carer in the home for an agreed period, giving one-to-one support through the day and night
• Overnight care covers support at night when the person does not need help throughout the day

For families weighing live-in care against a residential setting, the cost of care homes is a useful comparison.

When is live-in care the right choice?

Live-in care is worth considering when needs go beyond what visits can safely cover, or when continuity matters for recovery. It often suits:

• Recovery from major surgery, a stroke or a serious fall, where help is needed through the day and night
• A dementia diagnosis made during the hospital stay
• Families who cannot provide the care themselves because of distance, work or their own health

Hometouch was founded by a doctor. Each care plan is overseen by a nurse-guided clinical team, and a clinical manager reviews it regularly, in person. Families comparing providers can start with the questions worth asking about vetting, oversight and price.

How one family arranged care after discharge

Robert was discharged from hospital in 2023. His wife, Joan, could no longer manage his care alone. Hometouch arranged a carer within 72 hours, and the family agreed a two-week rotation, with Joan and a carer sharing his care in turn. Joan has regular breaks, and a mobility routine developed with his physiotherapist supports Robert’s daily exercise. Joan said:

“Robert’s carer is always so helpful and cheerful, and is an enormous support. She’s bonded so well with my very frail husband, and he dotes on her. I’m so grateful for this support.”

This was the plan for one family. Every care plan is different.

How quickly can care be arranged?

Hometouch can often arrange care within 72 hours, depending on the person’s needs and carer availability in their area. No start date can be guaranteed, so contact providers as early as possible, before the discharge date is confirmed.

Frequently asked questions

Who arranges intermediate care?

Hospital social workers usually arrange it before the person leaves hospital. Ask the ward or discharge team whether it has been offered.

Can I challenge a hospital discharge?

Yes. Raise concerns with the ward manager, the discharge coordinator or the social worker involved. If the person may lack the capacity to decide about their care, the team should assess this before discharge.

What if my family member does not qualify for NHS funding?

The council can assess eligibility for funding based on needs and finances. Many families also arrange private care, from a few hours of visiting care a day to live-in support. Our cost of live-in care article explains what to expect.

Can care be arranged before a planned hospital stay?

Yes. Arranging care before admission takes pressure off the discharge day and lets a carer be introduced gradually, which can help a person living with dementia settle.

Supporting a safe recovery at home

With the right plan, many people recover well at home. Ask the hospital team about intermediate care and any NHS assessment, then look at the options that fit the person’s needs and budget. If live-in care may be part of the plan, a free, no-obligation conversation with a Hometouch care adviser can help you understand the next steps.