Introduction
Although chronic and terminally ill patients have been usually cared for
in nursing homes, people are increasingly choosing home care as an
alternative type of medical care. 1 Japan is no
exception. Home care consists of public services that provide necessary
medical and nursing care, such as home medical care by doctors, home
nursing care by nurses and caregivers, along with family care. Home care
in Japan is usually covered by public insurance such as medical
insurance and long-term care insurance. 2 As a result,
patients receiving home care are from diverse backgrounds, including
those suffering from chronic or intractable diseases, terminal stages of
life, and mental illness.
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, patients
admitted to a hospital are usually unable to see or communicate with
their family members effectively due to visiting restrictions.3 4 Therefore, increasingly more
patients are choosing home care to live their fulfilling life with their
families at their end-stage of life. 5 Studies have
reported the importance of end-of-life home care during COVID-19.6 While it could seem an effective option, it is
necessary to understand, acknowledge, and be prepared for possible
challenges that may arise.
In this article, we have reported the challenges faced in continuing
home care after informal caregiver was exposed to the COVID-19,
underscoring the need for effective planning and preparation for the
anticipated and unanticipated future challenges before opting for home
care.