Summary:
Context. — The support of carers is a major component of the preparation of the discharge of
elderly people from hospital. However, few studies have described carers’ perceptions of their
readiness to support their relative when they are discharged from hospital.
Aim. — To compare the level of carers’ perceptions of their readiness for the patient’s discharge
from hospital according to their gender and the type of care provided and activities carried out.
Design and method. — Descriptive quantitative study of which the convenience sample is made
up of 30 men and 30 women. The Readiness for Hospital Discharge for Caregivers Scale (RHDCS)
was used.
Results. — According to this scale, participants do not see themselves as being ready at the
moment of discharge. The level of perception of readiness for hospital discharge varies according
to whether it is evaluated using the RHDCS or by a closed question.
Discussion. — It is important to gain a better understanding of the characteristics of carers
to include them more effectively in the hospital discharge process and reduce the rates of
rehospitalisation.