When it becomes apparent that a loved one is in need of skilled care, there are many decisions to be made to ensure they receive the proper care they need. Depending on their needs and abilities, skilled care options focus on either long-term care or short-term care. While you consider the options, Touchstone Communities wants to help explain the difference between long-term care and short-term care to determine which is a better fit for your loved one.
For example, an older loved one who is recovering from a major surgery or severe illness could benefit from short-term care while a loved one who is suffering from a chronic health condition would be best suited for long-term care. So, choosing between short-term care and making a long-term care transition will largely depend on their medical history and needs.
The Difference Between Long-Term Care and Short-Term Care
Whether a loved one needs short-term care for skilled rehabilitation services or long-term care for ongoing health needs, both types of skilled care offer terrific benefits. However, it’s crucial to know the difference between the two.
Long-term care is a type of skilled care that encompasses all types of services that enhance a loved one’s quality of life, particularly when they are no longer able to care for themselves. It’s a hard realization but there are many older adults that are unable to participate in daily activities without assistance. Choosing long-term care at a skilled care community like one of the many Touchstone Communities across Texas can add greatly to an elderly loved one’s life, helping them maintain a level of independence while living a fulfilling life.
Short-term care is one that some don’t know is a viable option in a skilled care community. When a loved one opts for short-term care, they receive the medical attention and assistance they need to aid their recovery. This type of care has an end goal as they eventually get well enough to get back to their home and daily activities without assistance. But how can you tell if a loved one is in need of long-term care, or simply needs short-term care to get them back to their life?
Primary Differences in Care
A short-term skilled care plan is mainly suggested for a loved one recovering from a major illness, a stroke, major surgery, or an accident. When a loved one stays at our community for short-term care, their stay may last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months as there is an end goal attached to their plan. This end goal is put into place because a person who is in need of short-term care has been determined to be able to resume their life unassisted, maintaining their independence.
A long-term transition plan is for a loved one who is experiencing a chronic or progressive health condition where a full recovery is not possible but there is the opportunity to enhance their quality of life. Loved ones in need of long-term care will remain in our community, surrounded by a caring and nurturing staff as well as a community that will keep them active and engaged.
The Right Skilled Care For Your Loved One
At Touchstone Communities, we offer short-term care and long-term care services that are designed to focus on their overall health and well-being as well as ensure they’re happy and thriving. For more information on our skilled care plans, or to take a tour of one of the communities, contact our office today!
