Patient Guide
Key Information for Your Stay
After-Hospital Care
After-Hospital Care
Before You Leave
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 Healthcare—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 healthcare services such as physical therapy or skilled nursing. Find providers near you
- Independent Living—communities with individual, private apartments or homes. Includes: meals, housekeeping, maintenance, social activities and possibly transportation. Healthcare services like skilled nursing usually are not standard. Find providers near you
- 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. Find providers near you
- 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. Find providers near you
- 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.
Find providers near you
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.