What Is Convalescent Care And How Can You Do It From Your Own Home
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The definition of the word “convalesce” is “to recover health and strength gradually after sickness or weakness.” But what is convalescent care? This term describes healing support for anyone who is temporarily sick or injured until they no longer need assistance. Whether a person recently underwent surgery and is on bed rest or is dealing with an illness, convalescent care providers take care of their needs to help them regain their independence and make as complete a recovery as possible.
Do you know someone in need of convalescent care, even yourself? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to recuperating and rehabilitation, so keep reading to better understand the benefits of convalescent care and what it means for you or your loved one in need.
Who is Convalescent Care For?
Convalescent care, also called rehabilitation care, is for anyone who needs temporary support while they recover from any sort of surgery, injury, illness, or other condition (such as a stroke or heart attack). Such events may inhibit a person’s ability to perform daily tasks they are accustomed to doing alone, so they will require assistance until they heal enough to resume the task without pain or risk of re-injury.
Convalescent care can take many forms. It may look more like medical care, such as having a provider administer medications. It might also entail more practical support. For example, if a patient has a severe hand injury, they may need someone to help them cook and clean until their fingers are functional again.
An important distinction between convalescent care and other kinds of aid is that it’s intended to end. Though many elderly people benefit from rehabilitation care, it is not the same as end-of-life or palliative care because the patient will (hopefully) regain their health and independence eventually.
Which Services are Part of Convalescent Care?
Convalescent care is wide-ranging, so it can include any number of therapies and services. Some common examples include:
Cooking meals for a patient who cannot navigate their kitchen;
Administering medicine prescribed by the patient’s doctor;
Psychological therapy to improve mental health and keep them in good spirits;
Speech therapy if the patient is struggling with their ability to talk;
Occupational and physical therapy to help the patient regain mobility and movement;
Preparing for accidents or emergencies, such as falls;
Arranging social gatherings and visits to avoid a sense of isolation;
Regular or as-needed companionship;
Driving the patient to appointments and other locations;
Assistance caring for dependents or pets;
And much more. If you or your loved one needs any of the above due to illness or injury, don’t doubt whether you are suffering “enough” to need convalescent care. Your pain is valid, and your recovery is essential, so make sure you get the help you need, even if it’s not something commonly associated with the typical idea of rehabilitation care.
What are the Benefits of Convalescent Care?
Convalescent care is beneficial because it aids, speeds, and eases a patient’s recovery process. An individual with a broken arm bone wouldn’t heal correctly if they continued using it to lift heavy objects or turn it at unusual angles. Similarly, a patient recovering from the long-term effects of an illness could feel lethargic or sick if they tried to exert themselves too much, too quickly. Rest, therapy, and assistance with daily tasks increase their chances of recovering fully.
As for how long it lasts, rehabilitation care can continue as long as the patient needs it, depending on how severe their condition is and their doctor’s recommendation.
Who Provides Convalescent Care?
Loved ones and many kinds of trained professionals can provide convalescent care. For instance, a relative might help someone in recovery with meals, showering, cleaning, gardening, and other domestic tasks until the patient can do so alone again.
Doctors, nurses, physical therapists, dieticians, and psychologists can also comprise a patient’s care team. These professionals ensure the patient’s body and mind don’t take any more damage and heal at a reasonable pace. Someone with a leg injury, for example, may not relearn to walk as quickly without a physical therapist coaching and encouraging them.
Where Can You Receive Convalescent Care?
It’s possible to receive rehabilitation care at a specialized facility that employs in-house nurses, doctors, and therapists. They also provide necessary equipment and medical supplies.
However, many people prefer to recover at home. If you or a loved one requires convalescent care, you can arrange full-time, live-in care until you recover or have relatives and a team of professionals visit when needed. An example of a temporary care provider is a home concierge, who can travel to your home multiple times per day or week to provide companionship, assist with household chores, and perform other duties relatives and nurses don’t have the capacity for.
It’s crucial to take recovery seriously. Convalescent care provided by loved ones and trained professionals improves the healing process and optimizes rehabilitation, even at home.