I was scheduled for surgery today. Has anyone else encountered needing 24 hrs of monitoring at home in order to be discharged?

Yes, I'm a senior and have gone through this twice, both with disastrous consequences. The first time was in Boston, and the hospital insisted on this process for a colonoscopy. The young woman an agency sent was no doubt on drugs and then robbed me of my then top-of-the-line cell phone, which had a ton of information on it I absolutely needed for a very demanding job I had then. Filed police report, but they did nothing. There was nothing I could do but buy a new phone. When the agency tried to charge me $150 or so for her "services," I hit the roof and refused to pay. The 2nd time was more recently when I had surgery where I live in another part of the country. The cheapest I could find for someone to stay with me 24 hours was $500 cash up front. So, I hired a "friend" -- ha,ha -- of someone I hired where I live to drive me around places; the driving me "around" places individual also proved disastrous (but that's a different story). Anyway, with the lady who was his friend I hired to stay with me paying her cash, I caught her in the act of stealing from me as she was leaving. Just a couple of months ago, when I filed my taxes, the IRS informed my accountant that they were already filed, meaning I am now the victim of identity theft (and still not finished with all the paperwork, which could very well have "hidden surprises" awaiting me.) I am virtually certain the identity theft occurred either:1) by the woman who stayed with me overnight as I slept/came off of the anesthesia, and who could easily have found my social and DOB in my papers; or 2) another healthcare worker who did steal a debit card (fortunately cancelled in time before she used it) and may well have also found access to my ID items when I was in the shower.

It's a cruel, cruel world.

We have a school of nursing in our universities and can usually engage a student to pick you up, stay at the outpatient surgery during your procedure, drive you home and stay with you in your home overnight for a reasonable fee. We see it mostly with eye surgeries and other tests or minor surgeries.

I’ve had this ‘requirement’ put on me with both colonoscopies and my retina re-attachment. I just lie, and go to bed at home. I've always had my daughter to pick me up and drop me off at home. It looks good!

This should have been discussed with you long before the day of surgery.
This should have been discussed with you when they asked who will be taking you home after surgery.
This is standard practice.
Now I will admit I have had surgery and while I did get a ride to and from I did not tell them that there would be no one with me for the next 24 hours.
They are not going to follow you home and make sure that there is someone there.
You are not hooked up to a lie detector when they ask you if someone will be with you.
But for legal reasons they have to ask. Up to you if you tell the truth or not.
(I will say for one surgery, Macular Hole repair, I did have my sister stay with me for a week as I was unable to stand upright, I had to be face down for minimum 7 days)

Might be because of the medicine they use to put you out or in what they call a twilight sleep. I had something one time and they told me/had me sign a form that said not to make any legal decisions (or similar) after the procedure. I thought, at the time, why are you telling me this info if you already anticipate the possibility of my mental status being a little off afterwards. I mean, I could leave there and not even remember they told me that. Which is exactly what happened. They didn't tell my designated driver and I instructed him to take me to a couple of stores after we left. Apparently, I seemed quite okay. The next day, I found a receipt for a ring I bought and left at store to be sized. I didn't even remember going to that store. We also stopped at a couple more places and then to a restaurant for lunch. Crazy day!!

Now the joke is if I need an outpatient surgery, who will take me so we can shop afterwards! --- Have someone take you and instruct them ahead of time that even if you ask, don't go shopping.

As a note, it might also be a precautionary to watch for bleeding or weakness. Cataract surgery means no bending and eye meds afterwards. If you were alone and dropped something, you might need a little help. Even single people would have to find a buddy.

Every single procedure I've ever had.

You cannot have sedation or anesthesia and get released on your own.

When you reschedule, ask if calling a cab is good enough, or if you need to arrange for an ambulette.

Although I understand the need for companionship after surgery, the hospitals are also covered by the pre-surgical consent.  If you haven't read one thoroughly, do so.   Don't forget to spend some time reading the indemnification sections.

One alternative, hire a "Visiting Angel."

I just had a colonoscopy with the same requirements.

You can't drive if you've been under anesthesia, and you also can do some dumb things while feeling normal but in reality you're still a bit loopy.

That is the discharge planners job, if you have no other options , to ensure a safe discharge home. They need to find you a ride and a caregiver that can ensure you are safe at home and arrange home health to stay with you ...by either contacting your insurance company or setting up a private pay service. Medicare will not pay for home care unless you stay a full 72 inpatient hours in the hospital. If they try to tell you that is your problem, inform them that it is an unsafe discharge if
they do not do their job! "Unsafe discharge " is the magic term you need to use. Your local County Aging office may also offer some assistance , and caregivers on their registry are vetted. Very unprofessional that the hospital did not discuss this with you ahead of time. I would shop around for next time ....