There are a number of different care options available to older people, and as such, one of the most important pieces of advice is to be well informed and as up-to-date as possible. If you or your loved ones are in care or at the point in their lives where care is becoming a consideration, it is critical to know some of the most overlooked options. One of the mainstays of proactive elderly lifestyles and good senior health is the short stay in care.
The sojourn in care
Short stays in care, otherwise known as respite care, can be used for many reasons, and it is a useful form of care that many older people may not be aware of. Many believe that care must be a long-term process and one that is overly structured, while the truth of the matter is that in modern times, you are able to structure your care exactly as you want it.
When are temporary stays in care used?
There are a number of reasons why people may use temporary care, and the main ones are listed below:
After an operation for specific recovery
Depending on the nature of the operation you have had and the length of the recovery, time spent in a home for this can be anything from a few weeks to a month or two. It is also known as convalescent care, and the patient is provided with all the daily assistance and care to recover, and once at full strength, they return to their normal residence. For this type of temporary stay in care, it would be best to be referred directly from the hospital and ensure that the recovery care you need is definitely available at the facility you have chosen.
As a means to ‘test’ the care
If you are thinking about accessing a specific care home or service, it is always recommended to test before you buy, and the short or temporary stay in a care facility will allow for just this. Daycare also forms part of this temporary care and can be used to see whether the care provided works for you or your loved ones.
Support if you are newly disabled
Similar in nature to the recovery from an operation, time spent in specific temporary care for those who have been recently disabled or have experienced trauma can be arranged at most care facilities. The aim is to help you recover but also to begin to learn new routines and appropriate techniques for daily living with a disability.
A break from independent living
A short stay in care or respite care is one of the best ways that many older people have integrated alternative care with their current package of care, taking time out from the current norm and having all regular medical checkups and updates done while there. It’s a terrific way to simply recharge the batteries.
Knowing what care options are available in your State and locale is critical to do before you actually need the care. Short-term stay in care is one of the flexible ways that you can access care when you need it but also prepare for a longer-term future in care.
