Support someone after a hospital or Brookhaven stay

Best first step: Ask the patient what kind of support they want and what they are comfortable sharing. Then ask whether Silent Hill Health has permission to speak with you about care, discharge instructions, medications, or follow-up planning.

• Support after care may include transportation, medication pickup, follow-up scheduling, meals, routines, and emotional support.
• Staff may need patient permission before sharing discharge instructions, medication details, treatment information, or records.
• Being family, a friend, a visitor, or an emergency contact does not automatically allow access to private information.
• You can usually share concerns with Silent Hill Health even if staff cannot share patient details back.
• Support should match what the patient wants, what is safe, and what the care plan recommends.
• Use crisis or emergency support right away if the patient may not be able to stay safe.

Support area	Examples
Getting home	Transportation, pickup, pharmacy stop, belongings check, and making sure the patient gets home safely.
Daily routine	Meals, sleep routine, hydration, pet care, childcare, low-stress check-ins, or help reducing overwhelm.
Appointments	Scheduling, reminders, transportation, telehealth setup, or helping the patient write down questions.
Medication support	Pharmacy pickup, reminder systems, refill timing, side-effect notes, and safe storage when the patient agrees.
Safety support	Reviewing warning signs, reducing access to unsafe items when part of the plan, and knowing when to use crisis support.

• General discharge logistics, when allowed.
• Pickup or transportation instructions.
• Appointment scheduling or follow-up steps.
• Medication pickup or pharmacy coordination details, when authorized.
• Safety-plan steps the patient agrees to share.
• Visitor, support-person, or care conference instructions.
• General guidance about how to support the patient without sharing private details.

Important: Being a family member, close friend, ride home, visitor, or emergency contact does not automatically allow staff to share treatment details, medication information, safety-plan information, or records.

• The patient has not authorized information sharing.
• The authorization does not cover the information being requested.
• The record includes sensitive behavioral health information.
• The information involves medication, safety planning, crisis care, or restricted notes.
• The patient is an adult and has not approved support-person access.
• The requester’s identity or legal authority has not been verified.
• The information requires a formal records request instead of verbal discussion.

• Review discharge instructions together if the patient wants support.
• Confirm transportation home and follow-up appointment transportation.
• Help make the home environment calm and low-stress.
• Help reduce access to unsafe items if this is part of the safety plan.
• Support meals, rest, hydration, and routine.
• Know who to contact if symptoms return or the patient feels unsafe.
• Ask the patient how often they want check-ins and what kind of support feels helpful.

• Help pick up medication if the patient wants help and the pharmacy allows it.
• Help compare pharmacy pickup timing with the discharge plan.
• Help the patient write down side effects or questions.
• Help set reminders if the patient wants that support.
• Ask before handling medication bottles or storage.
• Contact the pharmacy or provider if instructions conflict.
• Use urgent help for severe side effects, suspected overdose, withdrawal concerns, or unsafe symptoms.

• Confirm which follow-up appointments are already scheduled.
• Help schedule appointments that still need to be arranged.
• Help the patient decide whether telehealth or in-person care is easier.
• Help with transportation or parking.
• Help write down questions before the appointment.
• Ask whether the patient wants you to attend or wait nearby.
• Ask what to do if the appointment is delayed or missed.

Do not wait if the patient may harm themselves or someone else, cannot stay safe, is missing after expressing safety concerns, has a suspected overdose, or symptoms are escalating quickly. Use crisis or emergency support.

• Ask the patient what warning signs they want help watching for.
• Ask what support feels helpful and what feels overwhelming.
• Know which coping steps the patient wants to try first.
• Know who the patient wants contacted during distress.
• Help reduce access to unsafe items if this is part of the plan.
• Do not promise secrecy if safety is at risk.
• Use the patient’s discharge or crisis plan when available.

• Ask the patient what they are comfortable sharing.
• Ask whether they want to add you as a caregiver, proxy, or authorized support person.
• Offer help with transportation, meals, reminders, or daily tasks.
• Help them write down questions for the care team.
• Share safety concerns with Silent Hill Health if you are worried.
• Understand that staff may not be able to confirm patient details or share updates back.
• Use crisis or emergency support if the situation is urgent.

• Do not demand private information from staff if the patient has not authorized it.
• Do not pressure the patient to share more than they want to share.
• Do not change medication instructions without provider or pharmacy guidance.
• Do not dismiss warning signs because the patient “seemed fine” at discharge.
• Do not promise secrecy if there is risk of harm.
• Do not handle a crisis alone if emergency support is needed.
• Do not enter restricted hospital areas or patient records without permission.

Do not wait for a portal reply, routine callback, or authorization update if the patient may not be able to stay safe.

• The patient has thoughts of self-harm or harm to others.
• The patient has a plan, intent, or access to means for self-harm or harm to others.
• The patient says they cannot stay safe or asks not to be left alone.
• The patient is missing, has left unexpectedly, or cannot be contacted after expressing safety concerns.
• There is severe confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, agitation, or unsafe behavior.
• There is a suspected overdose, severe medication reaction, withdrawal concern, or medical emergency.
• Symptoms are escalating faster than the safety plan can manage.

Use crisis or emergency support right away. If there is immediate danger, use emergency services.