Short Term Care for Elderly – How it Works & What to Expect

Short term care for elderly seniors is a highly-utilized service that aims to pick up where normal caretakers may leave off. An as-needed service meant to give friends, family members and caretakers time off from the day-to-day rigors of keeping a loved safe and secure, this sort of care is known commonly as respite care. In this article, we will examine the basics of short term assisted living, what life in a facility is like, typical durations and costs, why this sort of service can be an essential part of any longer term care strategy.

Day-to-Day Life in a Short Term Facility

Persons admitted to a facility for short term care get to enjoy almost all of the things they enjoy at home as well as some additional fun. In terms of concentrated care, short term care for elderly seniors includes ideal arrangements for sleeping, eating, and personal hygiene. Indeed, each person gets their own bed to sleep tight at night as well as assistance throughout the evening should they need it.

In addition to the sleeping situation, meals are prepped daily, often by dedicated chefs so that residents are getting the nutritional assistance they need to support important functions and deficiencies. Finally, dedicated care staff is available 24 hours a day to help residents perform important daily functions including using the restroom, taking medications, showering, and dressing.

On top of the necessities, short term care facilities also provide seniors with some much-needed company among peers. Depending on the facility, residents are given a variety of options to keep busy including fitness classes, art, outside time, or simply watching the TV among a group of friends. Whatever your loved one needs, short term care facilities have them covered.

Durations & Length of Stay

When you think of the words short term assisted living what sort of timeframe comes to mind? Hours, Days, or Weeks? The simple answer is–it depends. Most assisted living facilities that offer short term stays require a minimum of 3 to 4 days. This is because of the costs that come with moving someone in and out and coordinating specialized care plans.

Say you are going on a 5-day vacation to Cancun, Mexico, the duration of your loved one’s stay may span a total of 9 days. That gives them two days to get settled in, you can visit and get them situated, and it also gives you time once you get back from your trip to unpack and get everything in order for their return.

Costs and How to Pay

The costs associated with short term care are directly related to the length of stay. This means paying on a per day basis. On the short side of things, many communities require a minimum of 4 days to accommodate the logistics that come with solidifying care routines and logistics.

4 days will run you around $600, which includes comprehensive care around the clock as well as medication administration, fresh cooked meals, and personal hygiene. Meanwhile, while a few days stay may be cheaper overall, longer stays often mean better daily rates. Assisted living communities do not accept Medicare and must be paid for out of pocket via private funds.

READ MORE: Assisted Living and Private Financing – Is it Affordable for You and Your Family?

Qualifications for Short Term Care

Qualifications for short term come down to two major things: condition of the patient and duration. With respect for condition, it’s important to understand if the person is sick and needs specialized medical attention. In cases where the person is in critical condition, a skilled nursing facility or hospital is the correct place to go. If the person only require general assistance and safety supervision, assisted living is your best bet.

Duration or the length of stay matters because there are often minimum stay requirements–often several days. As such, if you’re looking for someone to care for your elderly friend or family member just for a few hours, such as during the day while you’re at work, you would be best served hiring a private caretaker who will come to you.

Why It’s Important 

On demand care for elderly friends and family members is an important service because everyone will need support at one point or another. If your dedicated caretaker is sick and cannot be there to provide, you will need to find a temporary replacement ASAP. Where finding another competent in-home caretaker in a pinch may prove difficult, assisted living facilities are always there to answer the call.

In addition to having a backup for unexpected events, having short term care options can offer relief from the physical and mental toll of feeding, bathing, and monitoring someone around the clock. Indeed, caretaker burnout is very real, and it’s good to know that there is relief available when you need it the most.

Short Term Care for Elderly: Final Thoughts

Short term care for elderly seniors is a valuable service that’s there when you need it the most. Whether you need help dealing with the frustrations day-to-day supervision or looking for someone that will take A+ care of your loved one while you’re away on vacation, respite care makes sense for all parties involved. Now that you’re familiar with the ins-and-outs of on demand senior care, we encourage you to reach out to a Sandyside Senior Living specialist, ask any additional questions you may have, and schedule a tour whenever it fits your schedule.