Post-Acute Care: The Advantages of Working in Long-Term Care Facilities
Americans are aging and living longer—putting a strain on the healthcare system.
According to the Journal of Hospital Medicine, up to 25% of people discharged from the hospital in the US return within 30 days. And the reason why may surprise you: they’re not following their treatment plan.
To ensure post-acute treatment plans are followed, patients may be discharged to a long-term treatment center and cared for by post-acute providers.
Healthcare professionals who choose to provide care in a long-term facility find the experience more gratifying than in a hospital setting.
A Setting for Healing
Post-acute care providers serve as care advocates and care team leaders for their patient population for months and even years, which is far different from hospital settings, where patients are admitted for a few days to a week. By working at a long-term facility, professionals can closely monitor care over a more extended period, leading to better healing.
Better Work/Life Balance
Hospitals are busy settings where patients often need short, intense bursts of care around the clock. Therefore, it’s no surprise that hospitals face a nursing shortage, and those nurses and providers who stay are asked to take on more and more responsibility.
In a post-acute or long-term facility, healthcare professionals find a rhythm, working with the same patients each day while also benefitting from the opportunity to work more flexible hours than an acute care setting.
Far from boring, this routine permits a better work/life balance for those who still want to provide care in a less stressful setting.
Part of a Team
Often, a team of professionals, including doctors, social workers, physical therapists, and case managers, provide a comprehensive plan to deliver quality patient care, building a sense of community and camaraderie that can develop over time.
Part of the Family
Patients come to know their healthcare providers and often consider them a part of their family. Mutual respect and admiration can make everyday opportunities gratifying and fulfilling. Post-acute providers and individual care can help patients reach their health goals while educating families on their loved one’s condition.
A Critical Part of Care
It’s estimated that 70 percent of Americans turning 65 years old will expect to need long-term care services at some point in their lives, many of them also requiring post-acute care, making the role of the post-acute provider crucial to improving and transforming patient care. Their care promotes the functional recovery of older adults while preventing unnecessary hospital readmissions or premature admission to a long-term care facility. In short, they help their patients get home faster.
If your current healthcare setting contributes to your fatigue and burnout, perhaps a new career in a long-term or post-acute setting is for you. Find out more by sending an email to [email protected].