Short stay: when it helps the family and the older person

Not every older person needs permanent accommodation. Often the family needs a solution for a few days, with the assurance that their loved one is safe. This is where a short stay helps.

When it is the right solution

When the caregiver needs a rest. Daily care is physically and emotionally tiring. A few days' break protects the caregiver and in the end benefits the older person too.
When the family is away. A trip, a work commitment or an unexpected event need not come with anxiety.
After a stay in hospital. When someone leaves hospital, they are not always ready to stay at home alone.
When the family is considering permanent accommodation. A first experience shows both the older person and their family what life at the unit is like.
In winter. In the mountain villages of Western Macedonia, where snow can make travel difficult, a short stay gives safety to an older person who lives alone.

What it includes

At Enilion Tsotyli, anyone staying for a few days has access to all the unit's services: comfortable and safe accommodation, medical and nursing monitoring, meals adapted to their needs, activities, physiotherapy, psychological support and a hairdresser.

How to prepare

The more the staff know, the smoother the stay will be. Prepare in advance:

The list of medicines, doses and times, together with the medicines themselves.
The medical history, recent tests and the phone numbers of their doctors.
Comfortable clothes, non-slip shoes and personal care items.
Glasses, hearing aids or walking aids, if they use them.
A favorite object that reminds them of home.
Notes on their habits: what they eat, when they sleep, what calms them.

Talk to them about the stay in advance and tell them exactly when they will return. A phone call or a visit in between reassures them, and unrestricted visiting makes this easy.

For the caregiver, these days are not abandonment. They are the way to go on caring with strength and a clear mind. A rested family can stand better beside their loved one.

What happens afterwards

At the end of the stay, ask the staff to tell you how your loved one got on: whether they ate well, slept and took part in the activities. These observations help the family and the doctor understand better what is needed at home.

Each case is examined individually. Ask early about availability, especially before holidays, and see more on the Short Stay page.

See all articles