Continuing care
Short definition
Continuing care is healthcare and social support provided to people in a situation of dependency, after the acute phase of illness, to promote recovery, rehabilitation, independence or maintenance of health.
In plain language
It sits between hospital and returning home: after a fracture, a stroke or a long illness, a person may need weeks or months of rehabilitation and care. In Portugal, it is provided mainly through the National Network for Integrated Continuing Care (RNCCI).