Senior living options often focus on long-term care for a member’s medical and non-medical needs. While considering the options, you might wonder about the differences between long-term care and short-term care and which might be a better fit for your aging family member. For instance, an older adult recovering from a major surgery or illness may require short-term care, while those with a chronic health condition can benefit from long-term care.
Choosing between short-term and long-term care will depend mainly on the individual’s medical history and unique needs. Contact Ventana for quality care and medical support today if you’re looking for senior long-term care. To learn more about our member-focused programs and services, call us at 214.225.6197 today.
Long-Term vs. Short-Term Care
Both long-term and short-term care offer similar benefits, such as taking care of one’s personal and medical needs. However, before going into the differences between long-term versus short-term care, it is crucial to understand the levels of care offered in each.
What Is Long-Term Care?
The answer is quite simple if you’re wondering what long-term care is. Long-term care encompasses all kinds of services that maximize a person’s quality of life, especially when they cannot care for themselves for long periods.
Many older adults may need assistance with daily activities and intensive nursing support. Opting for a long-term care plan at a member-focused assisted living community can significantly empower the elderly to live an independent and fulfilling life.
What Is Short-Term Care?
Other questions are: what is short-term care, and what does it include? In short-term care, members receive intensive medical attention and assistance with personal needs, but only temporarily.
Such programs usually have an end goal: the person eventually gets well enough to resume their daily life and perform tasks independently without assistance.
Long-Term vs. Short-Term Care: The Main Differences
Knowing the differences between these two types of care can help you fine-tune your decision about senior care services. The core differences between short-term care vs. long-term care are summarized as follows:
- A short-term care plan is usually suggested for someone recovering from surgery, a significant illness, a stroke, or an accident. Meanwhile, a long-term care plan is suited for someone with a chronic or progressive health condition with no hope of a full recovery, but steps can be taken to maximize their quality of life.
- Short-term care may last a few weeks or months, while long-term care may begin following a senior’s retirement.
- Long-term care is usually recommended for seniors or those with a chronic illness or disability. At the same time, people of all ages can benefit from a short-term care plan following an injury or disease.
- Short-term care is often administered with an end goal in mind, where the person can finally resume independent living. However, in long-term care, the person requires constant medical support and assistance with daily activities.
For example, in short-term care, a person may require the services of a physical therapist to regain their balance and coordination following a stroke. However, in long-term care, the person may opt for rehabilitation therapies to improve mobility and muscle strength to boost physical and mental wellness.
Enroll in Quality Long-Term Care for Seniors at Ventana
At Ventana, we offer quality long-term care services for members, focusing on their independence and happiness. At our member-focused assisted living community in Dallas, TX, we offer a lush, sunlit, and vibrant environment where individuals can socialize, relax, enjoy nutritious meals, and pursue their hobbies with all their medical and personal needs taken care of.
Call us at 214.225.6197 or complete our online form for an all-inclusive personalized long-term care plan for your loved one.