Patient Guide
Key Information for Your Stay
After-Hospital Care
After-Hospital Care
Quick Guide to Recovery Options for After Your Stay
After-hospital care that fits your needs is important. Make sure you understand what your hospital staff recommends for you.
Home Healthcare—Care provided by professionals in your home to help maintain or restore health. Includes: home care
services such as housekeeping and meal preparation; personal
care
services such as bathing, dressing or eating; and healthcare
services such as physical therapy or skilled nursing. Visit Home Healthcare
for more information.
Independent Living—Communities with individual, private apartments or homes. Includes: meals, housekeeping, maintenance, social activities and possibly transportation. Visit Independent Living
for more information.
Assisted Living—Individual units or apartments, usually in a long-term care facility. Includes: home and personal care services, as well as help managing health conditions and medicine routines—plus social activities and transportation. Medical staff is on-site 24 hours. Visit Assisted Care
for more information.
Nursing Home—Long-term care facility for individuals who don’t need a hospital, but can’t be cared for at home. Includes: all daily living and personal care services, 24-hour skilled nursing care, plus social activities and events. Special units often available for people with Alzheimer’s disease or memory loss.
Some nursing homes also offer short-term rehabilitative stays for patients recovering from an injury or illness. Visit Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Care
for more information.
Hospice—Care program that provides support for terminally ill patients and families in hospitals, facilities or homes, depending on the patient’s condition. Includes: 24-hour help with pain control, symptom management and emotional or spiritual support. Visit Hospice & Palliative Care
for more information.
To get started evaluating or finding after-hospital care resources in your area, visit:
- Eldercare Locator: eldercare.acl.gov
- National Respite Network and Resource Center: www.archrespite.org
Contact your health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid to find out what care and services are covered for you, and to obtain help with costs.