Respite care can make a world of difference, by keeping you safe and healthy.
Getting the help you truly need following surgery can be difficult. A recent article in the New York Times indicated that elderly patients sometimes struggle to get back to their normal, and continue living healthy lives, even when undergoing minor operations that are generally successful.
How can you help ensure that a minor complication following surgery doesn’t balloon into something major? The answer, for many, is respite care.
If you live alone or don’t have anyone on hand to help you following your operation, respite care can fill in the blanks. It can provide you with short-term help at any time, but it’s often used following a hospital stay.
When enrolled in respite care, you may live in a senior living community, or care may come to you, in your home.
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The type and level of care provided can vary, and it may not be covered by your insurance plan, but being supported by respite care can make a world of difference.
In some instances, there are state resources that can help cover your respite care, and it can be worth asking your doctor about possible help.
One superb resource for patients online is the National Respite Network. This site can help you search for care in your area, and help you and your family members find the support that best suits your needs.
For more on what respite care might have to offer you, you can also visit the National Institute on Aging, online.
