Okay so first of all please do not let me offend people but this is the research I have done.

First of all this is on many sites and books.
http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclop...ftercare-(BDSM)

Amusing... before I go on. Until I saw the Aesop screen name I was looking for this in Aesop's Fables.

Second, care never stops. Aftercare is in the medical term which is where we get most of our terms.
Here are two different definitions and reference quotes from mid 1700's and present

af·ter·care /ˈæftərˌkɛər, ˈɑf-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[af-ter-kair, ahf-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun Medicine/Medical.
the care and treatment of a convalescent patient.
[Origin: 1755–65; after + care]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
__________________________________________________ _______________
af·ter·care (āf'tər-kâr') Pronunciation Key
n.

1. Follow-up care provided after a medical procedure or treatment program.
2. Care provided to children after school, especially in an organized setting.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
__________________________________________________ _______________

This tells me that it is after any 'treatment' till better. Now as we do not know when better is until symptoms have abated. So after which is solely just called care.

I come from a different era, I think, I was not given Master, not to be confused with Dom, credentials till I knew this all by heart and studied outside sources other than my trainers teachings. I knew this all before I practiced on my own. Now sad part is to day people do not know the life enough before they claim Master. Not to go into the differences between Master and Dom/slave and submissive role. For they are very different things. I am now thinking of going back into training, so there are no more wrongful deaths and hospital visits from the non-experienced.