Transitional care

After a hospital stay, people often need further support and cannot return home immediately. Many nursing homes offer temporary stays to bridge the gap until people can return home or be cared for in another care facility. These short-term stays are called transitional care or bridging care.

The aim is to support people in their recovery after a hospital stay and to facilitate the transition from inpatient treatment back to their home environment or to a suitable care facility. This form of care combines medical and nursing services to help people regain their fitness so that they can cope with everyday life on their own or with little help.

Transitional care in a facility usually lasts a maximum of 28 days. Under certain conditions and depending on the state, such a stay can also last up to 6 weeks. 

Costs of transitional care

The costs of transitional care must be borne in part by the person in need of care themselves, with the remainder covered by subsidies and grants from the federal states. The amount of the personal contribution is dependent on the level of income and care allowance.