Long-Term and Short-Term Care – What are the Key Differences?

At Baxendale, we offer both long-term and short-term care for our residents. Although the length of stay is the principal difference, there are some important medical distinctions between the two. Here we, as a long-term caring home in North London which also offers short-term care, explain the key differences.

Long-term Care

Long-term care usually means that the resident requires assistance with the activities of daily living, and the commonest form of this is personal care, such as help with bathing, dressing, moving around, using the toilet and other daily tasks which many of us take for granted. More comprehensive long-term care can mean also providing meals and laying on transport (both of which we provide at Baxendale). This form of care is often provided when there is an ongoing medical condition – such as a degenerative disease, or general ageing and/or mobility problems – so there will be a level of medical care provided too.

Sometimes the need for long-term care arises suddenly, rather than gradually, for example if a person has a stroke and is unlikely to fully recover. Long-term care can also be provided at home or other assisted living facilities, but this can put a lot of pressure on carers so many families opt for residential care homes like ours.

If someone needs long-term care, it doesn’t usually mean that they require 24-hour medical care. This is more for serious conditions and residents who require regular treatment for things such as dressing wounds and regularly administering medication – these are usually provided by qualified professionals in a nursing home.

You are also more likely to get financial help from the NHS if you need nursing home care as part of the Continuing Healthcare programme. To meet the criteria for this, you must have a ‘primary health need’ and ensure that your care requirements aren’t just for social or personal care needs.

Short-Term Care

Short-term care usually refers to temporary care after an operation, or for a period of convalescence. The key difference between short-term and long-term care is that the resident’s overall condition is expected to improve during the former, so if they are in a care home it will only be for a limited period of time.

Sometimes people need short-term care for mental health reasons rather than their physical health; for instance, if the carer and their loved one need a bit of a break from their usual responsibilities and relationships.

Respite care can provide a much-needed break for both parties and can provide some healthy distance for a short period of time. For our previous blog on how we can help with respite care, follow this link.

Short- and Long-Term Care at Baxendale Care Home

At Baxendale we offer both short- and long-term care; as a short-term caring home in Totteridge, our minimum stay is for two weeks but can last for several months. Residents can also use it as a precursor or taster for a long-term stay, to see if we’re the right care home for you or your loved one.

Whether long or short-term, all Baxendale residents receive the same high quality of care from our experienced team, around the clock. This includes modern, en-suite rooms with excellent views, top-quality food (our kitchen is five-star rated) and the chance to take part in a busy programme of social activities, whether you are staying for a short or long time.

If you would like to know more about the various types of stays we offer, follow this link; you can also call us on 020 8445 1127, or click here and fill in the online form. You can also email us at info@baxendalecare.org.uk