Post-Discharge Support at Home

SafeHome Transition Visit

WestCare’s SafeHome Transition Visit is a one-time in-home support visit designed to help patients and families feel more prepared after a hospital discharge. We review the hospital’s discharge instructions and medication list with the patient or family, look for practical home-safety concerns, discuss basic support needs, and help organize questions or follow-up items for the appropriate health-care provider.

The visit is provided by qualified WestCare staff within our Maryland RSA license and is tailored to the patient’s needs, discharge information, and available care plan, with RN involvement or oversight as appropriate.

A Safer, More Confident Return Home

The first days after a hospital stay can feel overwhelming. SafeHome provides a structured in-home transition check-in focused on the hospital’s existing discharge information, medication list, practical home needs, and follow-up questions that may need to be shared with the appropriate health-care provider.

What the Visit Can Include

Discharge Instruction Review
We review the hospital’s discharge paperwork with the patient or family and help identify important instructions, restrictions, appointments, and follow-up items. Medical questions are directed to the appropriate treating provider.
Medication List & Routine Review
We review the medication list and routine described in the discharge information, help identify practical organization needs, and note questions or concerns that should be directed to the prescribing provider or pharmacist. WestCare does not prescribe medications or change medication orders.
Home Safety & Mobility Check
We look for practical home safety concerns related to mobility, transfers, bathroom use, walkways, lighting, and moving through the home. This is a practical home-support review, not a formal therapy or clinical fall-risk assessment.
Basic Wellness & Support Check
We discuss how the patient is adjusting at home, review comfort, mobility, routines, and immediate support needs, and help families identify questions that should be shared with the appropriate health-care provider. When an RN visit is part of the plan, basic nursing observations may be completed as appropriate.
Equipment & Home Setup Review
We review how the home is set up for day-to-day routines and identify practical questions about equipment, supplies, mobility, comfort, or safety that may need follow-up with the appropriate provider or supplier. WestCare does not prescribe medical equipment.
Follow-Up Planning & Care Coordination
We help the family organize follow-up appointments, provider questions, prescription pickup needs, transportation considerations, and the type of home support that may be helpful after discharge.

Why Families Use SafeHome

More Clarity After Discharge
A focused in-home visit can help families better understand the hospital’s discharge information, practical home needs, and questions that should be addressed with the medical team.
Clearer Next Steps
Families can better organize questions, follow-up needs, and concerns that may require attention from the medical team.
Practical Home-Safety Insight
The visit happens where recovery is taking place, making it easier to identify practical concerns related to mobility, routines, bathroom use, equipment, and household setup.
Support for Family Caregivers
Family members receive practical guidance that can make the transition home feel less overwhelming.
A Path to Ongoing Support
If additional help appears appropriate, WestCare can explain available personal care, medication-related support, skilled nursing, companion care, or 24-hour home-care options based on the patient’s needs and authorized plan of care.
One Focused First Step
A single transition visit gives families a practical starting point before deciding whether ongoing home-care support may be needed.

How the SafeHome Visit Works

SafeHome is intentionally simple: one focused visit centered on helping the patient and family feel more prepared after discharge.

Schedule the Visit

Contact WestCare after discharge—or as soon as you know the patient will be returning home—to discuss availability, timing, location, and the type of support needed.

We Review the Home Transition

During the visit, we review the discharge information and medication list, discuss practical home-safety and routine needs, and help organize questions or concerns for the appropriate health-care provider. When an RN visit is part of the plan, basic nursing observations may be completed as appropriate.

You Leave With Clearer Next Steps

We help organize follow-up questions, practical priorities, and next-step options, including whether ongoing home-care support may be useful. Medical decisions and treatment changes remain with the patient’s authorized health-care provider.

SafeHome is a transition-support visit, not emergency, hospital-level, or therapy care. It does not replace discharge planning, medical follow-up, medication prescribing, treatment decisions, or instructions from the patient’s physician, pharmacist, therapist, or other treating provider. If the patient has urgent symptoms or a medical emergency, contact 911 or the appropriate medical provider.

Who May Benefit From a SafeHome Visit?

SafeHome can be especially useful when a patient is returning home with new instructions, medications, mobility concerns, equipment needs, or a family caregiver who wants added guidance.

Older adults returning home after a hospital stay

Patients recovering after surgery or illness

Families managing new discharge instructions

Patients with new mobility, medication, equipment, or home-safety questions

Family caregivers who want a practical in-home transition check-in

Why Choose WestCare?

Returning home after a hospital stay can involve a lot of information at once. WestCare brings a practical, family-centered perspective into the home, helping patients and caregivers understand the discharge information, identify everyday support needs, and organize appropriate next steps. When ongoing care is needed, our Maryland-licensed team can discuss personal care, medication-related support, and RN/LPN skilled nursing services as appropriate.

Maryland-licensed Residential Service Agency with Levels 1–3 capability

Focused in-home transition-support visit after discharge

Practical home-safety, routine, and support planning

Ongoing personal care and RN/LPN support available when appropriate

SafeHome Transition Visits in Maryland

Headquartered in Waldorf, Maryland, WestCare provides SafeHome Transition Visits throughout our core Maryland service area: Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and St. Mary’s counties. Availability can vary by location, discharge timing, scheduling, visit requirements, and qualified staff availability.

SafeHome Transition Visit FAQs

Common questions families ask when preparing for the transition home after a hospital stay.

When should I schedule a SafeHome Transition Visit?

SafeHome is intended for the first days after a hospital discharge, when the patient and family are getting settled at home and beginning to follow the discharge plan. Contact WestCare as early as possible to discuss scheduling and availability.

How long does the visit take?

The SafeHome Transition Visit is a flat-rate service that includes up to 90 minutes in the home. Any ongoing care is discussed separately and is not included in the flat-rate visit.

What should we have ready for the visit?

It is helpful to have the hospital discharge paperwork, current medication list, follow-up instructions, and any equipment or supplies the patient was told to use at home.

Does SafeHome replace a doctor's follow-up visit?

No. SafeHome does not replace follow-up with the patient’s physician, specialist, pharmacist, therapist, or other treating provider. WestCare does not prescribe medications, change treatment plans, provide therapy, or make medical diagnoses. The visit helps families identify and organize questions and practical home-support needs.

What if we realize the patient needs ongoing help?

If ongoing support appears appropriate, WestCare can discuss personal care, companion care, medication-related support, skilled nursing, or 24-hour home care based on the patient’s needs, authorized plan of care, location, and qualified staff availability.

How do I request a SafeHome visit?

Submit WestCare's online care request form or call our office. Tell us the patient was recently discharged and that you are interested in the SafeHome Transition Visit so our team can discuss scheduling and availability.

Who performs the SafeHome Transition Visit?

SafeHome visits are completed by qualified WestCare staff, with RN involvement or oversight as appropriate to the patient’s needs and the services requested.

Can SafeHome include medication administration, wound care, or ongoing nursing?

The SafeHome Transition Visit is a one-time post-discharge support visit. If the patient needs medication administration, wound care, or ongoing skilled nursing, WestCare can review the requested services and discuss whether ongoing RN/LPN support is appropriate and available under the patient’s authorized plan of care.

Coming Home From the Hospital?

A SafeHome Transition Visit can help your family review discharge information, practical home needs, and next-step questions during the first days back home.

Request a SafeHome Visit Call (301) 861-2004