When an illness becomes serious enough to require a hospital stay, it’s easy to feel lost and unsure of what to do next. I often see this when I meet a new patient in the hospital: Some patients arrive feeling panicked and unsure how to navigate their care, while others have a clear sense of what they want and how to work with their medical team.

So, what’s the difference between these two groups? Why does one feel lost while the other seems to have a GPS? The answer is planning ahead. Taking a few steps to prepare for a hospital stay can help you take an active role in your care, communicate with your medical team, and set yourself up for a smoother recovery at home. Use the steps below as a guide to help you prepare for your next hospital stay.

How to Prepare for a Hospital Stay: 4 Practical Steps

Step 1: Let your desired health care outcome determine your course of action

The first step in any road trip is to pick a destination. Where are we going, and why are we going there?

A hospitalization should have the same type of objectives. Ask yourself, "What will this hospital stay accomplish, and how does that fit into my larger picture of health?". Having a clearly defined goal for your time in the hospital is essential for keeping you and the medical team focused. I suggest finding one to two big overarching goals for a hospital stay and two or three little goals each day. A big goal will take time and coordination to achieve, for example, being treated for pneumonia. A small goal should be achievable within a day, like walking down the hall or meeting with a specialist.

When speaking with your medical team, consider your big and little goals, and ask questions about how your treatment plan is progressing your care toward those goals. Remember that each day in the hospital can be challenging, so take time to feel good about achieving small goals in your care as each step brings you closer to your ultimate goals for that hospitalization.

Step 2: Have a plan before going to the hospital

For most people, hospitalization is an unplanned event, and it may take several hours or even a few days before patients can start piecing things together to get the support they need. Only after a few unexpected hospital visits do people wonder how to be more prepared for a trip to the emergency department and a night or more in the hospital.

Unless you are pregnant, I don't encourage anyone to keep a bag packed for the hospital. Instead, I suggest keeping a folder containing your advanced directive and POLST form readily available. Better yet, have your primary care provider add these documents to your electronic medical record. Completing an advanced directive and a POLST form assures that your values and goals for your medical care are respected if you ever cannot express these things for yourself. These documents help maintain your autonomy and are a gift to your loved ones, reassuring them that they care for you in the way you would choose for yourself.

Step 3: Know how to course correct if things start to feel overwhelming 

In every road trip movie, there comes a point when the duo gets utterly lost, and they pull out a map in an attempt to right their path. It is easy to feel lost in the hospital; you're sick and uncomfortable but still have to get lots of tests and procedures done. On top of that, you're expected to have coherent conversations with all the different medical specialists and therapists you meet. This can be especially true when you’re hospitalized with a respiratory illness such as RSV, COVID-19, or the flu. These illnesses can have similar symptoms, and knowing what you’re being treated for—and what to expect from your care—can help you feel more prepared to ask questions and make decisions with your medical team. If you’re sick with a respiratory illness, ask your health care provider what testing or treatment may be appropriate for you.

When you get to a point in your hospitalization that feels like you need to slow things down to get some answers and make a plan, it's time to call for a family meeting. A family meeting is a fantastic tool to bring patients and their loved ones together with their medical providers when questions linger,or big decisions about next steps need clarification.

I like family meetings because they allow everyone involved in the patient's care to get their questions answered and simultaneously hear the same message, often resolving communication difficulties. A productive family meeting should end with an updated plan that supports the medical and social needs of the patient so that all parties feel ready to continue with the agreed-upon care plan.

Step 4: Choose an advocate to represent you and your interests with your health care professionals

Before GPS was available to us in the car and on our phones, the role of the navigator fell on the front passenger. Having a trusted buddy to drive with made you less likely to get lost and guaranteed good conversation. Leaning on your social support network while you are hospitalized is like bringing your best map reader, trusted lookout, and most entertaining friends on a nonstop cross-country trip (minus the soundtrack).

Your friends and family are the best tools you have to help advocate for your safety and satisfaction in the hospital. Identify one or two people who can be your primary support: people who can help you make decisions, communicate with your medical team and understand what is needed to ensure your safety and well-being throughout your hospital stay and for discharge.

It may not be possible to have someone with you most of the time, so I suggest having someone with you on high-impact days, such as the day of admission and the day you are discharged. Having another set of eyes and ears during these vital transition points in your care will help because they can give more information about your condition and ask for clarification about the care plan. Though you may be feeling poorly, try not to isolate yourself; instead, accept help and lean on the people who care about you and want to support you.

Though there is no guaranteed path to a successful hospital stay, you can work to improve your experience in the hospital and drive your care in a productive manner by setting goals, assuring your autonomy, clarifying communication, and accepting help from others when advocating for yourself.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How can I prepare for a hospital stay?

To prepare for your hospital stay, make a list of what you’ll need and gather everything ahead of time. Your hospital stay essentials may include:

• Comfortable clothing, well-fitting slippers, and personal care products
• Your hearing aid(s), dentures, eyeglasses or contact lenses, and mobility assistance items
• Your cell phone, phone charger, earphones, and books/magazines 
• Your insurance information (e.g., Medicare card)
• A list of your medications, allergies, and health conditions
• Contact information for your doctors
• Your advance directive
• Your POLST form, if you have one
• The name and contact information of your health care advocate

What should I do if my hospital stay is unplanned?

Start by giving the medical team your medication list, allergies, information on your health conditions, and advance care documents. Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate, if they’re willing. Their role will be to support you and speak up for you, if needed.

You or your advocate should also ask why you were admitted, what treatment is planned, and what must happen before you can safely leave the hospital.

What goals should I set during a hospital stay?

Choose one or two main goals for your stay, like recovering from pneumonia or getting your pain under control. Then set a few smaller goals you can work toward each day, such as walking down the hallway or meeting with a specialist. Ask your care team how each treatment or test helps you move toward your goals.

What does a health care advocate do during a hospital stay?

A health care advocate is a trusted person (like a spouse, relative, friend, or caregiver) who helps you understand your care and communicate with the medical team. Your advocate can:

• Explain your needs and concerns to your care team
• Listen and take notes
• Ask questions on your behalf
• Share details about your health and medical history
• Help you make decisions
• Review your discharge plan

If your advocate can’t be there every day, ask them to be present on important days, especially when you’re admitted and discharged.

When should I ask for a family meeting at the hospital?

Ask for a family meeting if you feel overwhelmed, receive unclear or conflicting information, or need to make a major decision. The meeting brings you, your loved ones, and members of your medical team together.

Everyone can ask questions, hear the same information, and agree on an updated care plan.

What’s the difference between an advance directive and a POLST form?

An advance directive is a broad legal document for future health care planning. It explains your general wishes for medical care and may name someone to make decisions for you if you can’t speak for yourself.

A POLST form is a medical order for people who have a serious illness or advanced frailty. It gives health care professionals specific instructions about the treatments you do or don’t want. Ask your doctor if a POLST form is right for you.

What should I ask before leaving the hospital?

Before you leave the hospital, make sure you understand:

• Your diagnosis and the care you received
• Which medications to take, stop, or change
• Activities you should avoid
• Your dietary restrictions, if any
• What warning signs to watch for
• Who to call with questions
• When your follow-up appointments are (or when to schedule them)
• Whether you’ll need help, equipment, therapy, or other care at home

Keep your caregiver or advocate looped into your discharge planning, if possible. Medicare offers a hospital discharge planning checklist that can help.

This contributed article was edited by NCOA Staff Jackie Thomas on September 16, 2026.