Why is continuum of care important

The care continuum is a model of the progression of care for patients. It is a way to help patients and their families understand their options and make the best choices for themselves. The care continuum starts with self-care, then moves on to professional care, home-based care, community services, and finally institutionalization.

As patients move through each stage, especially those with critical and long-term conditions, they need to be monitored and cared for by multiple nurses, physicians, and specialists as they transition from stage to stage. 

This model of care provides a coordinated approach to thinking about different levels of support that may be needed by people who need it. It ultimately has the potential to see better outcomes for patients.

What is the difference between acute, subacute and long-term care?

The care continuum is the progression of care for a patient, which may include acute, subacute, and long-term care. The continuum ranges from hospital care to home-based services.

Acute care is the initial treatment given in a hospital setting. It’s also known as critical or emergency medicine. Acute care focuses on treating life-threatening conditions that require immediate attention.

Subacute care is the next level of treatment after acute care and typically includes rehabilitation and therapy services. This type of treatment may be necessary for patients who are recovering from surgery or have chronic illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease.

Long-term care is the final stage of care and typically involves assistance with daily activities like bathing and eating, as well as monitoring for any changes in health status.

Advanced medical technology in long-term care facilities

As healthcare continues to be one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, hospitals and other medical facilities are investing in new technologies to provide better care for patients.

Providing effective treatment across the continuum can require careful attention to detail as medical care is coordinated between a variety of providers. The advent of electronic health records (EHRs) has immensely helped the logistics involved in supporting the continuum of care while also furthering the adoption of other digital tools.

The healthcare industry has also been a prime target for analytics. This is because the industry is so data-hungry. Patients are more than just patients, they are customers. And as paying customers their journey should be tracked and followed from the first time they visit the doctor to when they leave with a diagnosis.

Patients and their families can offer insightful feedback because of their unique perspectives, and their feedback should be seriously considered.

Conclusion: The future of high tech healthcare

With the increased availability of data and information, there is a temptation to let the data speak for itself. However, it should not be lost on providers that more information means they now have another way to communicate with their patients and colleagues. Knowledge is power and this is certainly the case when facing complex healthcare discussions.

The use of advanced medical technology has helped to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs. It has also given caregivers more time to spend with patients.

By focusing on building strong patient-provider relationships patients are encouraged to be proactive, creating an integrated cradle-to-grave healthcare system.

The idea of a continuum of care is not new, and it is not limited to medical care, but the practice is seeing increasing use as healthcare providers look for smart new ways to care for older adults.

A continuum of care results in better care that has less stress, is more convenient, is more social, is easier on the patient and their families, and allows patients to age in place for as long as possible.

This blog explains what a continuum of care is, what its benefits are, and how Knute Nelson may be a solution for you or your loved one’s health needs.

What is a Continuum of Care?

Continuum of care describes the act of caring for a person throughout multiple stages of their life. In housing, for example, a continuum of care is found when a variety of agencies, advocates, governments, businesses, and service providers all coordinate the care needs of an individual. When set in the context of a person with diabetes, a continuum of care describes how health care providers, dieticians, and family members all work together collaboratively to treat and manage the ailment.

When talking about older adults, a continuum of care model provides individuals with the care they need at each stage of their life, from support with daily tasks while they are living independently to increasingly specialized care as they age.

The transition to a continuum of care for older adults is an important step as it acknowledges that health and long-term well-being are significant factors in a person’s major life decisions – and perhaps are the single most important factors. A continuum of care gives older adults a wide variety of options to age comfortably in their home of choice.

Types of Care Often Found in a Senior’s Continuum of Care

The continuum of care for older adults consists of a wide range of care levels and services. Those include:

• Community-based services: Through this type of care, community members are able to take preventative actions towards their health as they age through services such as community wellness centers and outpatient therapy options.
• Residential living: In senior housing, a resident moves into a community that takes care of home maintenance and often coordinates socialization and wellness opportunities. Personalized care such as help with activities of daily living, house cleaning and grocery shopping may be available in these settings in addition to skilled care needs such as nursing and therapy.
• Most residential living service providers handle house cleaning and maintenance. There are also a variety of services available, such as classes, outings, meals, help with activities of daily living, wellness, socialization, and more.
• Support at home: Home health care and senior technology providers can enable older adults to remain at home with supportive services like help with household tasks, personal care, meals, skilled nursing, medication management, therapy, telehealth and more.
• Memory care: Memory care serves residents who display signs of Alzheimer’s or dementia. Residents are kept active with specialized treatment that helps the residents relive life’s happiest moments.
• Rehabilitation care: Recovering from an illness or injury often requires skilled nursing care and physical, occupational and/or speech therapy services. When you need help getting back on your feet, a short-term rehabilitation center and/or home health care can provide you the support you need.
• End of life care: Hospice care can provide excellent support and comfort to you and your loved ones during life’s final stages. Support services can include therapeutic music, massage therapy, spiritual care and more to keep you comfortable through your final stages.

What Are the Benefits of a Continuum of Care?

Those who are entered into a continuum of care environment can enjoy a wide variety of benefits, including the following:

• It is convenient: Those who choose a continuum of care provider can easily receive additional care or services when they need them. They can also receive different levels of care than a spouse so couples continue to live together.
• It is stress-free: With a continuum of care arrangement, individuals can have services any time they wish, with activities of daily living and on-demand health care.
• You get the care you need: With so many services available in a continuum of care, it is much easier to enjoy a meal, visit a health care provider, have your medications readily available, and enjoy social activities from movies to mall visits to walks in the park.
• Individuals can age in place: With a true continuum of care provider, whether you need specialized care or just a little help with cleaning, there are a wide variety of services customized to your specific needs wherever you call home.

Trust Knute Nelson for Compassionate, Professional Continuum of Care Services

As a trusted and experienced aging services provider, Knute Nelson provides a full continuum of care and living options.

We facilitate those who need:

• Wellness and outpatient therapy
• At-home services
• Senior living
• Assisted living
• Enhanced assisted living
• Memory care
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Short-term rehab
• Hospice care
• Resource navigation and care management

Knute Nelson’s many living and care options feature personalized services to fit your specific needs, and make you most comfortable wherever you call home.

Ready to learn more? Take our free virtual assessment or speak with one of our experts at (320) 537-8076.

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