Before going home, your senior mom or dad will need discharge orders from their doctor and a release form from the hospital. Discharge planning before leaving the hospital can help your elderly parent prepare for their health and home-care needs after they go home. The discharge planner can help arrange for a visiting nurse, medical equipment, meals-on-wheels, or other services. The discharge planner also knows about senior centers, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and other long-term care services.
The National Institute on Aging (NIA), one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of the National Institute of Health (NIH) leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. In 1974, Congress granted authority to form NIA to provide leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs relevant to aging and older people.