How to Get Home After Medical Procedures As a Solo Adult

Co-authored by Carlotta Butler, RN, MPH

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References

Undergoing a medical procedure is never fun, but can be even more of a hassle as a single adult. Ideally, find a friend or family member to accompany you to the procedure. In addition to companionship, you may need someone to help ensure clear communication with medical staff following the procedure. Finally, be sure to prepare your home before getting your procedure so that recovery will go quickly and smoothly. With a bit of preparation and a plan for the 24 hours following your procedure, you'll be back on track in no time.

Things You Should Know

Ask a friend or family member to go with you to the hospital and drive you home after your procedure.
Depending on the procedure, you may be able to use a taxi or ride-sharing service to get home.
If you'll need at-home care after your procedure, consider hiring a home care professional. They'll be able to take you home from the hospital.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Returning Home Safely

1
Have a friend or family member come with you. Depending on the type of medical procedure you plan to have, you may simply be able to have a friend or taxi pick you up from the hospital. However, if you will be administered anesthesia, the facility may require someone who is able to take you home accompany you to the facility.^{[1]
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- Aside from the necessity of getting a ride home, a friend or family member can prove invaluable following your procedure.
- In fact, many medical professionals recommend that another adult spends time with your for the 24 hours following a medical procedure that involves anesthesia.
- Ask someone close by saying something like, "What are you up to next Thursday? I'm having a medical procedure and I need someone to accompany me. If I schedule the procedure for the afternoon, would you be able to join me, and potentially sleep over at my place to make sure there aren't any complications?"
2
Ask the facility what they recommend. Especially in those cases where you are required to have another adult accompany you to the procedure, the medical professionals you are working with may have some solid recommendations. Since solo adults are more and more common, they may even offer a service to help address this concern.^{[2]
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- Simply say something like, "What do you usually recommend for folks in my position?"; or, "What are my options if I can't find a friend to accompany me?"
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3
Hire a home care professional. There are many different types of medical home care options. You can even hire an after surgery professional to help you keep track of medical information at the facility, get you home, and even get you started on home treatment and recovery for the first 24 hrs.^{[3]
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- Ask the facility providing your procedure to provide you with a list of agencies that provide these services.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Talking to Hospital Staff After Your Procedure

1
Ask your medical team what to expect. If you’re fully cognizant after your procedure, you can likely have this conversation with medical personnel alone. Otherwise, it’s advisable to have whoever is accompanying you in the room after the procedure is complete, if only to keep track of important information.^{[4]
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- While facility staff will likely offer you information on your procedure without prompting, make sure you know whether the procedure was as successful as expected.
- For more information, ask questions like, “Did the procedure have any immediate effects on my condition?”
- Don’t be concerned about grogginess or nausea. If you feel hazy, groggy, or nauseous after your procedure, don’t worry. This is entirely normal, and it’s partly why many facilities require another adult to accompany you and ensure you get home safe.^{[5]
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2
Have someone take notes. Even if you feel fully cognizant after your procedure, anesthesia can sometimes affect your memory. This is one of the reasons it’s worth having someone in the room with you, to help remember and record conversations with medical staff.^{[6]
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- Most importantly, make sure that you have written information about any ongoing treatment that will be administered at home, such as pain medication you may need to take during recovery.
- Ask whoever accompanied you to take detailed notes, especially with regards to any directions, warnings, or recommendations the medical staff provide.
3
Ask any questions you have at the facility. Before leaving the facility where you got your procedure, feel free to ask about anything you are worried about, or anything that is unclear. This may be easier after resting a while at the facility.^{[7]
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- Information you want to make sure you have include who to call if you have concerns once you’re home, what you should or shouldn’t be doing on your own, and how much pain or other side effects you can expect.
- Good questions to ask include, “How quickly should I expect certain side effects to subside?”; and “How long before I will feel like my old self again?”
4
Ensure you have everything you need before you’re discharged. You will likely be inundated with information before and/or after your procedure. Again, this is why it’s highly recommended (and potentially required) to have someone accompany you to the procedure. Before you leave the facility, make sure you have the following:^{[8]
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- Written guidance on how to care for any wounds associated with the procedure, and the types and dosages of painkillers you should use, if needed.
- A list of any equipment you need to care for yourself at home, such as bandages, splints, or crutches.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preparing Your Home Before Your Treatment

1
Stock your home for recovery. Before leaving your home for your procedure, prepare it for your return. This can make recovery much easier, by ensuring you have what you need and have somewhere comfortable to rest. Talk to the medical professionals providing your procedure ahead of time for specific details.^{[9]
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- Ensure you have any personal items, including food, that you’ll need for the duration of your likely recovery period.
- Don't forget things like soap, shampoo, and other bathroom essentials.
- In addition to the supplies and medication prescribed by your doctor, get anything else that may help you recover as well. For instance, items such as icy hot can help soothe sore muscles. Just be sure that whatever you use is safe following your procedure.
- Your recovery time frame is important. For instance, if you're expected to need a day or two to recover, prepare for three days just in case. If your recovery time may be a week, you'll need to stock your home more carefully.
2
Place everything you’ll need nearby. More specifically places items you may need in easy to reach locations in the room where you’ll be recovering. In rooms where you'll be standing, place items on surfaces between waist and shoulder height. In areas where you may be lying or sitting, place items on side tables within reach.^{[10]
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- If your bedroom is upstairs, and you’ve been advised against using the stairs after your procedure, consider preparing and stocking a room on a lower floor.
3
Consider buying or borrowing other helpful items. There are all sorts of things that can help make your more comfortable. Depending on your procedure, certain movements and activities may be harder than normal, or may even risk reopening an incision, etc. Based on the location and type of the procedure you’re receiving, get items such as the following:^{[11]
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- A sponge on a long handle to wash yourself more easily in the shower.
- A shoe horn with a long handle to help put on and take off your shoes.
- A mechanical grabbing arm to reach things without moving or stretching.
4
Improve your bathroom’s safety. Depending on the extent of the recovery period, as well as the type of procedure you’re getting, your mobility and stability may be greatly hampered. Fortunately, there are a few easy additions to your bathroom to ensure your safety on wet surfaces.^{[12]
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- Add non-slip mats or decals to the bottom of your tub or shower.
- Use a bathmat that has a non-skid surface on the bottom.
- Place items in the shower where you will easily be able to reach them.
- In some cases, things like support bars or shower chairs may be necessary to use the toilet or shower safely.