Home care is often discussed as a long-term solution for older people or people with chronic conditions to live comfortably at home, however many younger and generally healthy individuals might be surprised to learn that short-term, in-home care can make a huge difference in the days following even minor surgical procedures.

This blind spot to post-surgical home care in younger patients is caused by several factors: 

• Many patients new to surgery will often focus their concern on the procedure itself with little thought given to their in-home recovery.
• Patients may underestimate how difficult previously mundane tasks like tying shoes or preparing meals will become.
• Short term in home care is rarely considered by younger patients unfamiliar with this type of service.

Is short term home care the right call?

If you are preparing for a surgical procedure, consider the following:

• Ask your doctor what to expect during your recovery. Will you lose function of a limb or dexterity in one or both of your hands during recovery?  Will painkillers or other medication impact your ability to care for yourself?  If so, for how long? 
• If you live with someone who can assist you, have an honest conversation about the type of help you will need. Is your partner willing and capable of offering the type of help you will need?
• Consider the relative costs of going alone or requesting in home care. Things like food delivery, laundry, housekeeping services, car services, Velcro shoes and other assistive devices can keep you independent, but may cost more overall when compared to short term in home care.
• Recovering at home can get quite lonely and it is hard to tell how a week or more at home might impact your emotional wellbeing. Having a friendly visitor can go a long way towards staving off boredom and depression.

Making the call for short term care

Beginning long term home care through a home care agency can take more time than is practical for patients in need of short term care, so many agencies will use a shortened admission process for short term cases. When calling an agency for short term care, be prepared with the following:

• An estimate of how long you might need assistance.
• The types of tasks you will need help completing.
• Have relevant insurance information available so the agency can help determine if short term care is covered by your plan.
• Contact information for your current doctors and, if you need assistance travelling to medical appointments, the time, date and location of these appointments.

SelectCare offers New Yorkers a wide range of short and long term in home care solutions tailored to every client’s unique needs.  To learn more about how SelectCare can help, contact SelectCare or request a free in home care guide today.