While home health and home care sound similar, they are different. Understanding the differences is important for choosing the one that aligns with your needs and budget.
What is Home Health?
Home health brings medical services right to wherever you call home. Licensed nurses and therapists provide home health services designed to help you recover from an illness, injury, or surgery or manage a chronic health condition. People typically begin home health after a decline in their health, a new diagnosis, or transitioning home from a hospital or rehab facility. The main goal of home health is to support your recovery and help you maintain as much independence as possible.
What Home Health Includes:
Home health services address periodic needs and can include a variety of support, such as:
- Nursing care
- Therapies like physical, speech, and occupational therapy
- Medical social work
- Wound care
- Education for both patients and caregivers
- Assistance with activities of daily living like bathing and dressing, provided by a home health aide while you are recovering
If a doctor orders these services, Medicare, Medicaid, and some private insurance plans typically cover the costs for eligible patients.
What is Home Care?
Home care involves getting help with everyday activities. The services are delivered by non-clinical personnel and are designed to ensure you can live safely and comfortably in your own home. This type of care is often utilized by older adults managing chronic illnesses, individuals with disabilities, and those recuperating from surgery.
What Home Care Includes:
Home care services can cover a range of needs, such as:
- Help with personal hygiene like bathing, dressing, and grooming
- Household tasks such as cleaning
- Transportation to appointments or errands
- Meal preparation
- Companionship
- Medication reminders
Home care services are typically paid for out of pocket. However, in some instances, Medicaid or long-term care insurance will cover the costs associated with receiving care. Some veterans may be eligible to pay for home care through the VA.
How Home Health and Home Care Are Similar
You’ve likely noticed overlap in some areas of home health and home care, which is why it can often be confusing. Both services are typically provided wherever you call home (whether that is a single family home, or a senior living community). Home health can temporarily provide assistance with bathing, grooming, and other activities of daily living until the patient returns to their baseline health status following an injury or incident. Home care can provide this same support all of the time without restrictions in how long the care is provided.
Home health and home care can be provided at the same time. When utilized together, the agencies will work as a team to ensure all of your care needs are met and everyone is on the same page regarding the care delivered.
How Home Health and Home Care are Different
The biggest difference is that home health is medical, and home care is not. Home health is delivered by licensed nurses and therapists, while home care is delivered by caregivers. Home health is typically covered by insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid and can continue as long as the doctor deems it necessary.
Typically, home health is prescribed by a physician as there are some eligibility requirements for receiving home health services. There are no requirements to receive home care services. If the services offered will make your life easier, you want them, and you can afford them, then you can receive them. Home health is typically provided for a few hours weekly, while home care can be provided up to 24 hours a day if desired.
Choosing the Right Services for Your Needs
We hope this information helps you better understand the differences and similarities between home health and home care. Both services can be incredibly beneficial in helping seniors remain independent and in their own homes. We have several excellent options for home health and home care providers in Central Oregon. We’re happy to provide recommendations. Just give us a call at 541-548-7483 to learn more.