Home First

Planning for Your Safe Return Home

At Quinte Health, we’re committed to making sure you get the right care, in the right place, at the right time—and with the right team by your side.

A big part of this commitment is supporting the Home First Philosophy. This means helping you safely move from hospital care back to your home or another supportive setting, like a retirement home or living with family, with the right supports in place.

We know that most people recover better and feel more like themselves at home. Being in the hospital for too long—especially for seniors—can sometimes lead to extra challenges like infections, confusion, or reduced mobility. That’s why, when it’s safe and appropriate, we focus on helping you return home first before exploring long-term care options.

This doesn’t mean you’ll be sent home before you’re ready. It means we’ll work with you to make sure you’re getting the right care in the place that’s best for your recovery.

While you’re in the hospital, your care team will talk with you early about discharge planning. We’ll support you in regaining your strength and confidence so your transition home is as smooth as possible.

Together with Ontario Health atHome and other community partners, we’ll help you and your family plan for the services you may need at home—such as nursing care, personal support, rehabilitation, and more.

You can learn more about Home First in this patient handout.