Convalescence,
Rehabilitation and Respite Care for the Elderly
As our
aging population in the UK grows, so more and more people are likely to
become caregivers to aging relatives. Although we are fortunate to
have a robust social care system in the UK, the growth of our aging sector
combined with the cuts in public spending, are going to put our existing
health care system under extreme pressure.
It
may well be that as more of us become caregivers to our aged parents or
grandparents, we may be looking to a level of convalescence or respite
care to help take the burden following a hospital stay, or to facilitate
a much-needed break for a caregiver.
It
is well-recognized that most seniors would prefer to stay in their own
home, and be cared for by family, as they age, rather than becoming institutionalized.
Convalescence
Care
With cut-backs
in the NHS, many patients are now discharged before they have fully recuperated.
Elderly patients especially, could require a more nurturing environment
whilst they recover from a hospitalization. Although your local health
authority may have a rehabilitation programme (intermedite care), the limited
resources these days means that there is a strict eligibility criteria
for this type of intermediate care. This type of short-term care
is not generally funded by the health authority or local authority.
Therefore
the main way convalescence care for the elderly is administered today is:
-
A family
member staying in the older person’s house
-
A short
stay in the home of a member of the family
-
Regular
visiting support from family and friends
-
The employment
of a home care agency
-
A convalescence
stay in a Care Home
-
Assistance
from local voluntary organizations.
Rehabilitation
Care
Rehabilitation
care is concerned with restoring an elderly person to their fullest capacity,
probably following an illness or fall. It is usually a combined approach,
enlisting professionals who can promote recovery, such as physiotherapists,
occupational therapists and speech therapists.
The
NHS often offers a rehabilitation programme as a kind of intermediate care
on discharge from hospital. This is usually a fairly short programme,
perhaps for about 6 weeks, and again eligibility can be quite restrictive.
The
effectiveness of the rehabilitation care will be assessed between community
nursing care and out-patient visits. If additional treatment is required
after the intermediate care, a extended rehabilitation programme may be
put in place. This is often the case with stroke victims for instance.
This
level of care is generally available free of charge.
Respite
Care
Respite
care is most often defined as temporary relief. It is provided to
give a caregiver a temporary break, and maybe ensure adequate care is in
place for a caregiver to say, take a holiday.
Respite
care can be regular or infrequent, and last from a as little as an hour
a week, or a period of a few weeks, very much depending on individual circumstances.
In
the main respite care usually covers:
-
A short
break away from a daily homecare regime for an older person – a kind of
holiday.
-
A short
stay in a Care Home to allow a carer to take a break.
-
Some increased
support in the home to allow a carer to pursue their own commitments.
If the
elderly person has savings in excess of £23, 250 (£22,750 in
Scotland, or £22,000 in Wales) then they may not qualify for local
authority funded respite care. However, the carer also has a right
to apply for respite care if they provide “regular and substantial care”
and this assessment may take into account the carer’s financial status.
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