Hospital to Home in Devon: Fast Live-in Care After RD&E or Torbay Discharge

Emergency live-in care in Devon can be arranged in 48–72 hours so discharge from RD&E or Torbay Hospital feels safe, not rushed. This guide explains exactly what to do before the ward calls, how to prepare the house, and what the first 72 hours at home should look like—plus quick answers and printable checklists.

TL;DR (Answer-Engine Summary)

If discharge is planned within days, choose live-in care for continuity and night cover; review after 72 hours.
Share TTO meds, OT/PT transfer advice, and follow-up contacts with your coordinator.
Prepare the house: clear pathways, fit warm night lights, and stock hydration/soft foods.
Start with sleeping nights if calm; use waking nights for delirium, frequent toileting or high falls risk.

Explore the service: Classic Carers — Live-in Care
Speak to a coordinator: Contact Classic Carers

Step 1 — What to Ask the Ward (and Why It Matters)

Get these five essentials in writing:

TTO medications + dosing times and any changes from the pre-admission routine.
OT/PT notes on safe transfers (bed↔chair↔toilet), recommended equipment, and whether two-person support is needed initially.
Pressure-area/wound care guidance (e.g., repositioning frequency, dressings schedule).
Follow-up contacts for community teams (district nurses, physio, memory/dementia team).
Next appointment time/date and transport plan.

Why it matters: This is the “source of truth” your live-in carer will use to set safe routines from Hour 1.

Step 2 — Prepare the House in 45 Minutes

Clear routes: remove loose rugs, tape cables, declutter the path to the bathroom/bedroom/chair.
Light the way: plug-in warm LEDs for hallway and bathroom (avoid harsh white overheads at night).
Bathroom set-up: non-slip mats, grab rails if advised, towels within reach, raised seat if recommended.
Bedside essentials: glasses, hearing aids, water, tissues, call bell/phone, and a small lamp.
Kitchen basics (48 hours): soft proteins (eggs, yoghurt, soup), easy carbs (toast, porridge), hydration (water/squash).
Safe chair: sturdy armrests, correct height, clear side table for meds and notes.

Step 3 — Choose the Right Night Cover (First Week)

Sleeping nights (live-in): the carer sleeps at the property and responds if needed occasionally.
Waking nights (live-in): the carer is awake all night—best for delirium, frequent toileting, high falls risk, or post-op pain.

Rule of thumb: If there were two or more disturbed nights in hospital, begin with waking nights for 3–7 nights, then step down if safe.

The First 72 Hours at Home (What “Good” Looks Like)

Day 1 — Safety & Settling

Walkthrough & risks: confirm transfer plan, check lighting at dusk, practise the bathroom route.
Medication prompts: build a simple MAR-style sheet (time, drug, prompt/observed).
Hydration & food: small, regular portions; a cup by the chair always in view.
Calm routine: favourite chair, radio/TV on low, brief fresh-air break if appropriate.
Family update: agree a set time for a WhatsApp/phone summary.

Day 2 — Rhythm & Records

24-hour template: wake → wash/dress → breakfast/meds → mid-morning activity → lunch → rest window → afternoon fluids → tea → evening wind-down → bedtime.
Observation log: appetite, fluids, bowel habit, pain, transfers, mood, sleep quality.
Green/Amber/Red flags: quick triage so families can scan changes at a glance.
Therapy carry-over: integrate OT/PT advice (chair stands, short walks, pressure relief).

Day 3 — Review & Adjust

Night review: if toileting/pacing remains high, extend waking nights; if stable, step down to sleeping nights.
Meal/med tweaks: adjust timing/texture for comfort; confirm pain relief doesn’t peak at 2 am.
Rota plan: confirm live-in schedule (e.g., 2 weeks on / 2 weeks off), holiday cover, and escalation steps.

Scenarios (Pick the Closest One)

A) Hip fracture with pain at night

Start waking nights for 5–7 nights. Emphasise slow transfers, pillows for comfort, timed analgesia.

B) UTI-related delirium, improving

Begin waking nights for 3–5 nights. Step down once orientation and sleep consolidate.

C) Heart failure with breathlessness in bed

Waking nights initially; check pillow height, side-lying comfort, and prompts for meds/inhalers as prescribed.

D) Dementia + new confusion after stay

Waking nights to reduce risk of wandering and falls; use warm lighting, soft routine, hydration prompts.

Cost Logic (Plain-English)

Stacking many hourly calls plus separate night cover can approach or exceed a basic live-in package. Live-in simplifies coordination, keeps notes in one place, and often prevents the expensive spiral falls → A&E → readmission. For partners, couples’ live-in care is frequently 20–30% more cost-effective than two separate arrangements.

AEO Quick Answers

How fast can live-in start after discharge?
Typically 48–72 hours once intake is complete and a carer match is confirmed.

Do live-in carers administer medication?
They provide prompts and record-keeping and follow GP/pharmacy guidance and your MAR sheet.

Do you cover Exeter and Torbay outskirts?
Yes—Heavitree, St Thomas, Exwick, Pinhoe, Topsham, Paignton, Brixham, Newton Abbot and nearby villages.

What if needs change in week one?
We reassess quickly—extend waking nights, add a second carer temporarily, or adjust routines.