Ventilation and Tracheostomy Care at Home: Preparing Your House and Your Family

The idea of bringing someone home with a ventilator or tracheostomy can feel overwhelming. You might be excited to leave hospital, but also scared:

• Will our house be safe enough?
• What if something goes wrong in the middle of the night?
• How will the rest of the family cope with all the equipment and noise?

The good news is that, with the right planning and a skilled nurse-led team around you, ventilation and tracheostomy care at home can be safe, structured and less frightening than it first appears. Many people find that once routines are in place, home is where they feel most comfortable and in control.

This guide is designed to help you prepare both your house and your family for the move from ward to home.

What Ventilation and Tracheostomy Care at Home Involves

Ventilation and tracheostomy care can look very different from one person to another. Some people need support all the time; others only at night or when they’re unwell.

Common elements include:

• A tracheostomy tube, which provides a direct airway
• A ventilator to support or take over breathing
• Suction equipment to clear secretions
• Monitoring (for example, oxygen saturation)
• Emergency equipment and plans

At home, these are managed by a trained care team under nurse supervision, with clear protocols for day-to-day care and emergencies.

Getting Your Home Physically Ready

You don’t need a “perfect” house – but some practical changes make life easier and safer.

Choosing the Right Room

• Enough space for a bed, equipment and safe movement
• Easy access to a bathroom or commode
• As close as possible to exits in case of emergency

Power, Equipment and Storage

• Sufficient power sockets and safe cabling for ventilators and monitors
• Access to backup power or emergency plans if there’s a cut
• Shelving or cupboards for disposables, PPE and supplies
• A clean, uncluttered area around equipment to reduce trip hazards

Infection Prevention and Control

• Easy-to-clean surfaces around the care area
• Good ventilation and airflow
• Safe clinical waste storage in line with local guidance

Your complex care provider should complete a home assessment and work with you to identify what needs to change before discharge.

Essential Equipment and Supplies

Your exact equipment will depend on your prescription and care plan, but typically includes:

• Ventilators (and usually a backup device)
• Suction machines and catheters
• Humidification systems if needed
• Oxygen, if prescribed
• Monitoring (for example, pulse oximeter)
• Emergency grab-bag with replacement tracheostomy tubes and other essentials

You should be shown how everything works, what normal looks like, and what to do if you notice something unusual.

Preparing Your Family Emotionally and Practically

The shift from hospital to home affects everyone.

Talking About the Changes

• Use clear, age-appropriate language with children
• Be honest about the equipment they will see and the noises they will hear
• Emphasise that the machines are there to help keep their loved one safe

Agreeing Roles and Boundaries

• Decide who will be present during clinical procedures
• Agree when family members want to be involved – and when they don’t
• Make time and space for “non-care” family moments too

Looking After Your Own Wellbeing

• Accept that it’s normal to feel anxious or overwhelmed
• Plan regular breaks, even short ones, away from the care environment
• Know who you can call if you need emotional support

Training and Clinical Support

No family should be expected to manage ventilation or tracheostomy care alone.

A nurse-led service should provide:

• Structured training sessions for family and carers
• Written care plans and emergency protocols
• Competency checks for staff
• Ongoing supervision and regular reviews

You should feel able to ask questions at any time, without judgment.

Planning for Emergencies

Emergency planning doesn’t mean you expect something to go wrong – it means you’re ready just in case.

A good emergency plan includes:

• Early warning signs that need urgent attention
• Clear steps for carers and family to follow
• Who to call (and when), including local services
• Where emergency equipment is stored and how to use it

Having this written down and practised can significantly reduce fear and confusion if a real emergency occurs.

How Aeon Nursing Can Help

Our nurse-led complex care teams:

• Carry out detailed home assessments before discharge
• Work with hospital teams to plan safe transitions
• Provide trained staff familiar with ventilation and tracheostomy protocols
• Offer ongoing supervision, reviews and 24/7 escalation routes

Our aim is to make your home feel like home again – with the clinical safety net you need.

Thinking about ventilation or tracheostomy care at home?

If your loved one is being assessed for discharge with ventilation or a tracheostomy, our team can help you understand what home care could look like in your specific situation.

Email info@aeonnursing.co.uk to arrange a friendly call with one of our clinical leads about home assessments, training and ongoing support.

Important Information

This article is for general career information only and does not form part of any job offer or employment contract with Aeon Nursing. Roles, duties and benefits described are examples only and may vary by position, location and service needs. All employment is subject to Aeon Nursing’s usual recruitment procedures, professional registration requirements and safeguarding checks. For current vacancies and full terms, please contact our recruitment team or visit our careers page.

Author & Content Writer: Dr Naeem Aslam