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.