There have been numerous misconceptions about home care recently. Some assume it is continuous. Others believe it is reserved only for seniors who are very sick.

But the truth is that in-home care is flexible and adapts to the client’s needs. It can be temporary, providing the needed help for a limited time.

Short-term in-home care is more common than you think. This article explains more about the flexibility so you can decide for yourself.

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What is Temporary In-home Care?

Temporary in-home care is provided in the client’s home for a limited period. Short-term assistance is mostly used for post-surgery recovery, but is beneficial for many other cases.

The home care plan can last days, weeks, or months. It depends on the client’s needs, health, and recovery progress.

The caregiver ensures safety. They help the recovery process and prevent hospital readmissions. Plus, they provide emotional support so the individual regains independence.

It is important to note that the care hours can be adjusted to suit the needs. More hours can be added. Or the care can be stopped.

Short-term home care helps families in different situations. For instance, a senior returns home after a minor surgery. The caregiver helps with personal care, meal preparation, and laundry until they are back on their feet.

Another example is a family where the members take care of the mother. One of them has a child, while the other has a work trip. They get home care for a month to ensure their mother’s needs are covered.

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What Does Temporary Home Care Include?

Temporary home care includes non-medical services to make everyday life easier. This refers to personal care, meal prepping, housekeeping, managing medication, companionship, mobility, and transportation.

The scope and hours of services depend on the client’s needs. They can be increased, decreased, or stopped.

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Flexibility of In-home Care

Home care is quite flexible when it comes to adjustments. This is one of the biggest advantages for families. One or more caregivers can be assigned depending on the needs.

The senior’s condition can improve or decline, and the care plan follows it. The caregiver and the family monitor the senior’s health and their needs. The care plan is adjusted as requested.

A family notices their loved one is forgetting to turn off the stove. They call the home care provider to request daily visits. The agency confirms availability and the care plan is adjusted. Now the client is under continuous supervision to prevent any accidents.

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Temporary In-home Care

Even independent seniors need assistance during critical times. While they require help with taking medication or personal care, emotional support is also needed during those tough moments.

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Post-surgery Recovery

Recovery after surgery is the most common reason seniors need temporary home care. Patients struggle with mobility, bathing and cooking. The caregiver provides the needed support. They can also manage medication or take the client to follow up appointments.

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Injury

Injuries limit the senior’s independence for some time. If this was a result of a fall, they might feel hesitant to do everyday activities due to fear.

The caregiver assists them with walking. They also help with bathing, laundry, and meal preparation. Transportation to medical appointments or physical therapy are also included.

In addition, the caregiver encourages light movements and exercise recommended by the doctor. And they provide emotional support to help them overcome the fear of falling again.

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Short-term Illness

Short-term illness is another example where seniors need help. Even if they are fully independent, things like flu and pneumonia can make them feel weak. This makes it difficult to follow their daily routines.

The caregiver prepares meals, does housekeeping, and monitors their health until the symptoms improve and the patient regains their strength.

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After Loss

Losing a spouse or close family member is difficult for everyone. But for seniors, it is more than grief. A loss can make the daily routine overwhelming.

The short-term care plan focuses on supporting the person during the adjustment process. This includes housekeeping, medication reminders, and errands. More importantly, the caregiver provides emotional support during hard times.

One of our clients lost her husband. She struggled with eating regularly and doing household tasks. The two-month care plan included everyday support until she felt ready to manage everything on her own.

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After a Diagnosis

A new diagnosis puts pressure on the whole family. The condition is new for everyone and care needs are still unknown.

Short-term care helps to understand the real situation. The caregiver assists in implementing the care routines and adjusting medication.

One of our clients was diagnosed with early-stage Parkinson’s disease. The family arranged three-month care so the senior adjusted to treatment and therapy.

Family Caregiver Absence

Family caregivers might not always be available for help due to health issues and work commitments. Or some have experienced emotional burnout and need some time to recover.

In such cases, short-term home care provides the needed help.

Benefits of Temporary In-home Care

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Flexibility

The flexible nature of home care is a huge benefit. As the senior’s health improves and independence is regained, the care plan is adjusted. The hours can be reduced and some services can stop.

Promotes Recovery

The caregiver helps speed up the healing process. They prepare nutritious meals, remind clients to take their medication, and encourage light movement. In addition, they drive seniors to their doctor’s appointments.

Staying in a familiar environment reduces stress and anxiety. Plus, the interactions with the caregiver provide emotional support. The psychological factors aid the healing process.

Reducing the Risk of Hospital Readmissions

Hospital readmissions happen because of missed medication, poor nutrition, falls, and failing to follow the doctor’s recommendations.

The caregiver reminds clients about medications, monitoring their intake. They remove safety risks and support movement through the home. In addition, they do grocery shopping, plan meals, and cook to ensure healthy habits.

Support Independence

Temporary in-home care supports and encourages independence. Caregivers supervise actions and motivate individuals to do the tasks on their own when it is safe for them. They assist only when necessary.

Reduced Stress for Families

Managing responsibilities and caregiving is difficult for families. Temporary home care is helpful during crises to reduce burnout. Family members can contribute with emotional support, while the caregiver takes on the other tasks.

Eases Adjustment

Temporary care helps ease the adjustment during the tough life transitions. The loss of a loved one or a diagnosis puts mental pressure on individuals. The caregiver provides support during the adjustment period until independence returns.

Cost-effective

With short-term care, you pay only for the hours needed. This makes it a more feasible option compared to care facilities.

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What Does Long-Term Home Care Mean?

long-term home care is intended for seniors with disabilities or complex health problems. It is used for patients that are unlikely to become independent again. Conditions like heart disease, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s require regular assistance.

Families that want their loved one to stay at home need long-term home care. In addition they need to be aware that the senior’s needs will increase over time. More hours and services will need to be added to the existing care plan as their condition progresses.

Long-term care does not have a termination date. It can last for months or years.

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Short-term Care vs long-term Care

The duration and intention are the main differences between short-term and long-term care. Temporary home care focuses on supporting the client during recovery, aiding the healing process. The help can also be emotional.

As the client’s condition improves, the hours are reduced or stopped. The main goal is to get back the senior’s independence so they can proceed with their daily routines.

On the other hand, long-term care provides continuous support. The care plan has no end date. The focus here are on improving the quality of life and maintaining safety.

Keep in mind that care can start as temporary and end up being long-term.

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Final Take

Home care provides you with full control of the services and hours involved. It is a temporary solution during a crisis to help seniors navigate through tough times. As they regain independence, help is reduced and stopped.

Many aren’t sure whether home care fits their needs. Temporary home care can be a great starting point. You can assess whether the senior is happy with it. As needs change, there is room for adjustment.

We understand home care is a sensitive subject for families. If you have any questions or doubts, we can answer them for you. Contact us now to get started.

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