What's the Difference Between Home Care vs. Home Health Care?

The ability to receive care in the comfort of your own home can be a life-changing option for individuals who value flexible and personable care. However, navigating your choices can be confusing, especially when terms like "home care" and "home health care" are used interchangeably. 

While these terms may sound similar, home care and home health care are two distinct services and cater to different care needs. Home care focuses on providing personal assistance with daily activities, while home health care offers skilled medical services. 

Both play an essential role in supporting individuals, but these services serve different purposes, and understanding how they differ is key to choosing the right type of care. 

In this article, we'll explore the differences between home care and home health care. We'll explain the definitions, services, costs, and providers of both types of care, as well as ways to find high-quality care at home in your or your loved one's area. 

Understanding the Difference Between Home Care and Home Health Care

Home care and home health care may sound similar, but they are two distinct services.

• Home care involves non-medical services such as help with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing, bathing, or grooming.

• Home health care focuses on providing medical care and skilled care services such as injections, medication management, or various types of therapy.

While both types of care happen at home, they are covered by different types of insurance, have different costs, and are provided by different professionals.

If you already know what type of at-home care you need and need help finding it in your or your loved one's area, we'd like to introduce you to our partner and preferred home care provider, Amada Senior Care.

Amada Senior Care specializes in non-medical care, providing home care services nationwide. Amada Senior Care has over 150 locations and has helped more than 100,000 people across the United States.

While Amada Senior Care doesn’t focus on home health care in the same way it does home care, they can still offer valuable resources in your search for care at home.

To find care near you through their network, you can use Amada’s care finder tool.

Below, we'll look further into the differences between home care and home health care, who needs each service, and how to cover the costs of care.

What Is Home Care?

Home care involves non-medical services provided to individuals who need assistance with daily living activities. Home care may also be referred to as personal care or custodial care.

Common home care services may include:

• Assistance with activities of daily living: bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, continence, and transferring.

• Meal preparation

• Light housekeeping, house cleaning, or homemaker services

• Medication reminders

• Companionship

• Transportation services 

Understanding Home Care Services & Caregivers

Home care involves non-skilled, non-medical care aimed at helping individuals complete everyday tasks. The only difference between home care and facility care is that it happens in the comfort of your own home.

Home care is extremely flexible; you can have a live-in caregiver  or one that visits only a few hours each week. The possibilities are endless and up to your individual needs and preferences.

Since care happens one-on-one in your own home, care plans may be more customizable or feel more personal. You could create a personal connection with a caregiver that may be harder to achieve in a facility setting.

There are various types of home caregivers, and all are professional; even if they don't offer skilled services, their custodial care expertise is highly valuable and important. Home care may be provided by these professional caregivers, depending on what type of care you need:

• Home health aides

• Homemakers

• Personal care aides or personal care attendants (PCAs)

• Hospice or palliative caregivers

• Companion caregivers

Is Home Care the Right Option for You?

Home care is ideal for those with long-term care needs who do not need medical care or treatment. Individuals who would benefit the most from home care may feel more comfortable receiving care in their own homes and remaining in a comfortable environment.

Home care is not for those who need a higher level of care, such as one provided in a nursing home. It is also not for those with medical needs; for that, individuals would need to receive home health care.

Home care may be beneficial for:

• Older adults who wish to age in place who may not be able to complete all daily tasks on their own anymore.

• Those living with disabilities or chronic conditions who may need help with daily living needs.

• Individuals recovering post-surgery may need temporary help and support with activities of daily living while they recover from their hospital stay.

• Those with cognitive decline may need supervision, reminders, or companion care to maintain a routine, prevent accidents, and improve quality of life.

• Family caregivers who need respite care. Respite care is when a professional caregiver temporarily steps in to relieve a family caregiver of their duties. Home care is often the best solution since the care recipient can remain in the comfort of their home.

Unlike home health care, home care does not require a doctor's order unless Long-Term Care Insurance is used to cover the costs. For individuals paying out-of-pocket, home care can be arranged at any time, offering unparalleled flexibility.

This flexibility allows individuals and families to tailor care to their specific needs, ensuring they receive the right support when they need it most.

How Much Does Home Care Cost & What Covers It?

Home care costs can vary greatly depending on the degree of care needed. For example, someone who needs help with some activities of daily living may pay far less than someone who needs supervision or a live-in caregiver due to cognitive decline.

That being said, home care costs can get expensive. Options like Medicare or traditional health insurance do not cover long-term care or non-skilled home care services. Instead, Long-Term Care Insurance provides comprehensive coverage for home care. 

Long-Term Care Insurance is a safe insurance solution that offers comprehensive coverage of long-term care services and asset and income protection against the high cost of long-term care. 

What Is Home Health Care?

Home health care (or home healthcare) is medical or skilled care provided by a licensed professional provided at home. 

Common home health care services may include but are not limited to:

• Skilled nursing services such as wound care, injections, or monitoring vitals.

• Physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.

• Medical social work

• Education for the patient and caregiver

• Supplemental help with custodial care; however, this is not the main focus of home health care. 

What to Expect from Home Health Care Services & Caregivers

Home health care services can vary based on individual needs. For example, someone undergoing physical or occupational therapy at home might meet with a therapist a few times each week to regain mobility or strength.

For another individual recovering from surgery or a hospital stay, home health care could include regular wound care, injections, or medication management. They may also need some custodial assistance with daily activities, like dressing or bathing, to ensure a smooth recovery.

The nature of home health care depends on your health needs; however, it is generally intended to be short-term. Its primary goal is to help individuals recover to a previous level of health rather than providing ongoing, long-term support.

For individuals requiring long-term assistance with daily living tasks, home care is often a better option, either as a supplement to or in place of home health care services.

Home health care professionals differ from home care providers in that they typically work under the supervision of a doctor or registered nurse. These may include:

• Home health aides

• Certified nursing assistants (CNA)

• Licensed practical nurses (LPN) or licensed vocational nurses (LVN)

• Therapists (physical, occupational, or speech therapy)

• Registered nurses (RN)

When Is Home Health Care the Right Choice?

Home health care is ideal for individuals who need medical or skilled care but prefer to receive treatment in the comfort of their own homes.

This type of care is suited for those recovering from surgery, managing chronic medical conditions, or dealing with complex health needs that require professional attention but not hospitalization.

Home health care may also be beneficial for:

• Post-surgery recovery. Patients who need skilled nursing care, such as wound management or injections, while recovering at home.

• Chronic illnesses. Individuals managing conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or respiratory issues may need ongoing monitoring by licensed professionals.

• Therapeutic services. Individuals may need physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy to help regain functionality or mobility.

• Medication management. Patients who need help with administering medications, including injections or IV treatments.

• Health education. Individuals and their caregivers who need guidance on managing medical conditions and treatments.

Unlike home care, home health care often requires a doctor’s order to start receiving medical care. This means home health care is for those with needs confirmed by a doctor, who need professional medical care. 

How Much Does Home Health Care Cost & How to Cover It

The national median monthly cost of home healthcare in the United States is $5,177.

This number came from LTC News’s Long-Term Care Cost Calculator, which has information on the different types of care and how much they cost now vs in the future for each state and major metro area in the country. You can compare costs daily, monthly, or annually.

Home health care is covered through traditional health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. 

Finding the Best Home Care or Home Health Care Solution

Care provided at home is flexible and customizable to your or your loved one’s care needs. Individuals get to choose their caregiver and a schedule that works best for them, allowing individuals to retain their independence and comfort while receiving necessary care or treatment.

Home care provides professional support for those who need help with daily living tasks from caregivers like home health aides or homemakers. Meanwhile, individuals in need of skilled medical services, such as therapy or wound care, can rely on home health care provided by licensed professionals like registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, or therapists.

Finding high-quality providers is crucial regardless of the type of care you need. Resources like LTC News’s Care Directory can connect you with top-rated home care providers in your area, making the search process easier.

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Additionally, Amada Senior Care offers valuable support for long-term care needs. With their nationwide network and personalized approach, they’ve helped thousands of families find the right home care solutions. By exploring your options and leveraging these trusted resources, you can ensure your loved ones receive the compassionate and professional care they deserve.