Understanding the differences between home care and home health care Begins with recognizing their similarities.

Both provide:

• Care in the comfort and safety of your home
• Assistance to help older adults feel better and maintain independence
• Help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and grooming
• A more affordable option than hospital or facility care

Differences Between Home Care and Home Health Care

Type of Care

• Home Health Care: Offers “clinical” or “skilled” care provided by licensed nurses and therapists.
• Home Care: Provides “non-clinical” or “non-skilled” care delivered by professional caregivers.

Services

• Home Health Care: Focuses on medical needs, including skilled nursing and therapy. Aides may assist with bathing, grooming, and dressing until the patient can do so safely or has a caregiver available.
• Home Care: Helps with daily living activities such as bathing, grooming, meal preparation, cleaning, and transportation but does not provide medical services.

Eligibility

• Home Health Care: Requires a doctor’s order, and patients must meet eligibility criteria, such as having limited mobility.
• Home Care: Typically paid for out of pocket, with no eligibility requirements.

Length of Care

• Home Health Care: Continues as long as a doctor certifies that the patient meets eligibility requirements.
• Home Care: Can last as long as needed, depending on the patient’s budget and preferences.

Payment

• Home Health Care: Covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance for eligible patients.
• Home Care: Paid for directly by the patient or through long-term care insurance, and in some cases, Medicaid.

Care Team

• Home Health Care: Provided by licensed nurses and therapists.
• Home Care: Provided by professional caregivers and family members.

Frequency

• Home Health Care: Visits are typically scheduled for a few hours per week, based on patient needs and doctor’s orders.
• Home Care: Can offer assistance 24/7, depending on the patient’s budget and needs.

Location

• Home Health Care: Can be delivered in a variety of settings, including a patient’s home, assisted living, or group homes.
• Home Care: Primarily offered in the patient’s home.

Combined Care Options

You can receive both home care and home health care simultaneously. Home health focuses on clinical recovery, while home care addresses daily caregiving needs. Some agencies even provide both services under one umbrella.

Despite their differences, both home care and home health care play vital roles in helping seniors remain safe and independent at home.

If you’re recovering from an illness, injury, or surgery, or struggling with daily tasks, speak with your healthcare provider about whether home health or home care is right for you.

For more information, contact Assure Home Assist at 224-207-7550