The plan was set: just a short time in rehab to regain strength, then back home. But as the weeks passed, things didn’t unfold as expected. Recovery slowed. The target discharge date came and went. Now, the conversation is shifting toward “extended care,” “nursing home,” or “permanent placement,” and the change feels unsettling. What can you do when short-term rehab extends into long-term care?
How Recovery Can Take a Detour
Rehabilitation centers are intended to be a bridge between hospital care and returning home. They provide therapy, medical oversight, and support with the goal of restoring independence.
But sometimes, recovery is delayed by:
- New physical or cognitive concerns
- A decline in mobility or strength
- Safety worries about living alone without daily help
When progress doesn’t meet the required standards, the “short stay” can become an open-ended arrangement.
Why Home Care Could Be the Right Move
Before resigning yourself to a long-term facility stay, know that home care can often fill the gap. It’s not just for fully independent seniors; it’s for anyone who needs extra help to live safely at home.
Home care can be:
- Temporary for recovery support
- Permanent for ongoing assistance
- Flexible to meet unique needs
This can include help with bathing, meal preparation, medication reminders, mobility, and more—often in partnership with visiting nurses or therapists.
Questions Worth Bringing to the Rehab Team
Before agreeing to a long-term plan, ask:
- What’s preventing discharge today?
- Could in-home services address these challenges?
- What specific supports would make home a safe option?
Many people are surprised to learn there are transitional home care programs designed for exactly these situations.
A Return Home May Still Be Possible
Even if rehab hasn’t gone according to plan, it doesn’t have to end in a permanent move to a facility. Professional caregivers can provide:
- Safety in familiar surroundings
- Assistance with personal and household tasks
- Companionship and encouragement
- Relief for family caregivers
If you’re facing an unexpected shift toward long-term care, call Traditions Home Health Services at 617-376-3711. We serve Milton, Boston, Westwood, and the surrounding areas in Eastern Massachusetts, with live-in care available throughout New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts, helping families create home care solutions that keep loved ones where they most want to be—at home.
