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. After-care options include:
Home Health Care—care provided by professionals in your home to help maintain or restore health. Can include: home care services such as housekeeping and meal preparation; personal care services such as bathing, dressing or eating; and health care services such as physical therapy or skilled nursing. Visit Home Health Care for more information.
Independent Living—communities with individual, private apartments or homes. Includes: meals, housekeeping, maintenance, social activities and possibly transportation. Health care services like skilled nursing usually are not standard. 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. Staff is on-site 24 hours. Visit Assisted Care for more information.
Nursing Home—long-term care facility for those 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. 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. 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
You also can talk to your case manager or social worker for help finding the right after-hospital care.
Insurance Tip
Contact your health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid to find out what care and services are covered for you, and to get help with costs.
Find Medicare and Medicaid Resources at CMS.gov
Visit
cms.gov to find after-hospital care resources that are covered by Medicare and Medicaid.