South Bay Home Health Care Team
Updated 5:39 PM CDT, Tue September 1, 2026
Published Under: Caregiving Guides Hospital & Recovery
The phone call comes — your parent is being discharged in two days. Maybe it was a hip replacement, a fall, a cardiac event. The hospital team hands you a list of equipment recommendations and sends you on your way.
Now what?
Hospital-to-home transitions are stressful, and the equipment piece often gets underestimated until the day of discharge. This guide is designed to help you get ahead of it.
Step 1: Get the Discharge Paperwork First
Before you buy or rent anything, get the written discharge recommendations from the hospital or rehab facility. A physical therapist or occupational therapist on staff typically does a home assessment and will note what equipment is needed and at what level of support.
This matters for two reasons: you don't want to guess and buy the wrong thing, and if Medicare or insurance will cover any of the equipment, you'll need the documentation.
Step 2: Understand What's Typically Needed
Depending on the procedure or event, common equipment needs include:
After hip or knee replacement:
- Walker or rollator (often specified by the PT)
- Raised toilet seat
- Grab bars in bathroom
- Shower chair or transfer bench
- Reacher/grabber (to avoid bending)
After a fall or fracture:
- Walker or rollator
- Hospital bed (if unable to safely get in/out of a standard bed)
- Bedside commode (if mobility to the bathroom is limited)
After cardiac event or major illness:
- Bedside commode
- Shower chair
- Possibly oxygen equipment (if prescribed)
- Wheelchair for limited mobility periods
Step 3: Know What Medicare May Cover
Medicare Part B covers certain durable medical equipment when prescribed by a doctor. Items that may be covered include hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, and commode chairs — but coverage requires a prescription and often a specific diagnosis code.
Coverage does not include most bathroom safety items (grab bars, shower chairs, raised toilet seats), which are considered convenience items. These are affordable and available immediately in our showroom.
Step 4: Don't Order Online If You Can Avoid It
For equipment that needs to fit your parent's body — walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, raised toilet seats — fit matters. Something ordered online in a rush may arrive the wrong size, require assembly you're not prepared for, or simply not work the way you expected.
South Bay Home Health Care in Torrance carries the most commonly needed post-discharge equipment in stock and can help you select the right size and configuration on the same day.
Step 5: Set Up the Home Before They Arrive
If possible, have equipment in place before your parent comes home — not the morning of. Walk through the path from the door to the bedroom to the bathroom. That's the circuit that matters most in the first 48 hours.
- Is there a clear path with no tripping hazards?
- Is the bedroom accessible, or does your parent need a hospital bed on the main floor?
- Is the bathroom set up with everything they'll need?
We're Here for Same-Day Needs
- 1349 El Prado Ave, Torrance, CA
- (800) 464-3258
- Mon–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 10AM–3PM
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can I get equipment after a hospital discharge?
Most commonly needed items — walkers, shower chairs, raised toilet seats, hospital beds — are in stock at our Torrance showroom and available same-day.
Will Medicare cover my parent's equipment after discharge?
It depends on what was prescribed and by whom. Bring the discharge documentation to our store and we can help you identify what may be covered and what you'll need to pay out of pocket.
Do I need a prescription to buy DME equipment?
For Medicare billing, yes. For out-of-pocket purchases, no. We can sell most equipment directly without a prescription if you're not going through insurance.
What if I'm not sure what size walker or wheelchair to get?
Bring your parent in, or bring their height, weight, and any specific notes from the PT. We'll make sure you leave with the right fit.