Bringing back a loved one from hospital can be tough with changes to routine and new medical equipment to get used to. A storage unit can make the transition a bit easier by making space in your home and keeping your possessions safe. Here are some ways to prepare…

1.       Speak to the doctor

Before your relative’s discharge, find out from their doctor what their needs will be. Asking questions ahead of time will help you to prepare your relative’s home. There are two main things you need to think about:

• medical equipment – you may need to make room for a bed or assistive technology
• walking ability – your relative may not be able to go upstairs or may need to use a wheelchair. In this case, certain rooms will need to be changed to accommodate them. For example, moving the bedroom downstairs.

2.       Make more space in the home

If you find that you need to make room for equipment such as a hospital bed, then you will need to decide what can move to make way for it. Prioritise items such as comfortable furniture and tables or cabinets that can hold the new equipment. Put away bookcases, shelving units and decorative objects that take up a lot of space. Items like this are not essential so can be moved into storage until your relative is better.

3.       Remove hazards

You want your relative’s home to be as safe as possible, so removing anything that could cause them harm is a must. This will include any fall hazards, such as wires, rugs, and low-lying furniture that could cause a trip.

4.       Make the home more accessible

If your relative needs to use a wheelchair or walker, then some changes will need to be made to make the home more accessible. Switching some items around to be within reach of your relative will give them some independence. For example, some food and drink can be moved to lower cabinets. Pathways will need to be made wider and clearer in order for a wheelchair to move around as much of the house as possible.

5.       Plan for one trip to your storage unit

Try to make one journey to the unit when storing possessions and double-check that your relative wants those items stored. Considering the current situation during this pandemic, we are not encouraging you to go back and forth to their unit casually. However, as a carer of your relative you are well within reason to visit your unit if necessary. Look at our post on how to store your possessions efficiently to save you time and effort.

Leaving possessions in a storage unit will keep them safe and insurance will cover them in case of loss or damage. The storage company may offer insurance, but the rates might not represent best value. You are not obliged to accept their offering, so do shop around for your self-storage insurance. At Store & Insure, we provide competitive rates to protect your personal effects. Find out more and get a quote from us .

Healthy at home

Hopefully, these tips will help make the move back home for you and your relative a lot easier and their recovery as quick as possible.