Your loved one is finally being discharged from The Oaks at Lakewood, and while that’s a sign of progress, you might be left wondering—what happens now?

Discharge day isn’t the end of care—it’s the start of a new chapter. Whether your loved one needs help at home, full-time supervision, or comfort-focused support, this guide will walk you through your options in detail. 💙

📝 Discharge Process: What to Expect from The Oaks at Lakewood

Discharge from a skilled nursing facility like The Oaks at Lakewood is not random or rushed—it’s determined by a care team based on your loved one’s health, mobility, safety, and support system.

Who Decides on Discharge?

What You’re Responsible For:

• ✅ Updated prescriptions and medications 💊

• ✅ Discharge summary with therapy notes

• ✅ Medical equipment orders (wheelchair, walker, commode)

• ✅ Follow-up appointments with primary care or specialists

• ✅ Safe transportation from the facility 🚗

• ✅ Setting up post-discharge care (home care, ALF, etc.)

Tip: Always request a printed discharge plan and medication list. It’s your roadmap for the next 30–90 days.

🏡 When You’d Need Home Care (Preferred by Most Families)

For many discharged patients, returning home with help is the most comfortable and cost-effective option. But that comfort depends on having the right support in place.

Signs Your Loved One May Need Home Care After The Oaks at Lakewood:

• Needs help bathing, dressing, or toileting

• Struggles with mobility or is at high risk of falls

• Lives alone or has limited family support

• Recently had surgery, a fall, or hospitalization

• Needs help preparing meals or managing medications

Types of Home Care Support:

“When Dad left The Oaks at Lakewood, he couldn’t safely be alone—but we weren’t ready for a facility. Caringene sent someone that same week. It gave me peace of mind and gave him dignity.”
— Lori S., Lakewood, WA

Why Families Choose Caringene for Home Care

Caringene is one of the most affordable and responsive in-home care services in Washington—with no long-term contracts, 24/7 communication, and caregiver flexibility.

🏢 When You’d Need Assisted Living

Sometimes, the level of care needed goes beyond what home care can provide. If your loved one requires supervision, community engagement, and around-the-clock support, assisted living might be the better fit.

When Assisted Living Is the Right Choice:

“My mom wasn’t safe alone after her stroke, even with home care. We found an assisted living community after The Oaks at Lakewood, and she’s now thriving with routine and social interaction.”
— Danielle M., Tacoma

Types of Assisted Living:

• Standard ALF: Help with dressing, bathing, meals, housekeeping

• Memory Care Units: For Alzheimer’s or dementia with 24/7 monitoring

• Luxury Assisted Living: Spa-like amenities, activities, and gourmet dining

💰 Typical Cost: $4,500–$9,000/month (varies based on care level and location)

🌿 When You’d Need Hospice or Palliative Care

In some cases, discharge from The Oaks at Lakewood is less about recovery and more about comfort. If your loved one is facing a serious or terminal condition, hospice or palliative care may be the next step.

How to Know if Hospice/Palliative Care Is Needed:

• Prognosis of six months or less

• Severe pain, fatigue, or frequent ER visits

• No longer pursuing curative treatment

• Rapid health decline or multiple comorbidities

• Emotional and spiritual support is needed for patient and family

“The social worker at The Oaks helped us realize Dad needed hospice—not more rehab. Caringene connected us to a team that treated him like family. We’ll forever be grateful.”
— Michael T., Puyallup

Types of Care:

• In-Home Hospice: Covered by Medicare, includes nurses, aides, chaplains

• Facility-Based Hospice: For higher acuity needs

• Palliative Care: Not just for end-of-life—relieves suffering alongside treatment

📊 Quick Comparison Table: Choosing the Right Path

🔗 Similar Blog Posts from Caringene

Looking for guidance tailored to other facilities? You may also find these helpful:

• What Type of Care Do You Need After Life Care Center of South Hill?

• What Type of Care Do You Need After Alaska Gardens Health and Rehabilitation Center?

• What Type of Care Do You Need After Puyallup Nursing and Rehabilitation Center?

• What Type of Care Do You Need After Mission Healthcare at Renton?

💬 Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone

Discharge from The Oaks at Lakewood is just the beginning. Whether you choose in-home care, assisted living, or hospice, what matters most is having support—and making decisions from a place of peace, not panic.

At Caringene, we’re here for families across King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties with:

Reach out today and let’s figure out what’s next—together. Because real care begins the moment they leave the facility. 🌼