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When families begin looking for help at home, they may come across the terms home care and home health care. Although they sound similar, they can refer to different types of support.
Understanding the difference can help families ask better questions and determine what kind of assistance may be appropriate for a loved one.
In simple terms, home care generally focuses on everyday assistance and personal support, while home health care focuses on medical services provided at home by qualified healthcare professionals.
Some people may need one type of support, while others may benefit from both.
Home care provides assistance with everyday activities and personal needs while allowing a person to remain in their own home.
Depending on the individual’s needs and the services available, home care may include:
At ComForCare Home Care North San Diego, personalized home care is designed around each person’s routines, abilities, preferences, health needs and goals. Services can include companionship, personal care, respite care, dementia support and assistance with everyday activities.
Home care can be helpful for an older adult who wants to remain at home but is finding certain everyday activities more difficult.
Home health care is generally focused on medical care provided in the home.
Depending on a person’s medical needs, home health services may include:
Medicare explains that covered home health services can help someone recover from an illness or injury, maintain their current condition or level of function, or slow a decline. Eligibility requirements apply and a healthcare provider must order Medicare-covered home health services.
Home health may be appropriate when a person needs skilled medical services but does not necessarily need to receive those services in a hospital or other facility.
The easiest way to think about the difference is to consider the type of need being addressed.
| Home Care | Home Health |
|---|---|
| Everyday support | Medical care |
| Personal care & daily activities | Skilled nursing & therapy |
| Companionship | Physical, occupational & speech therapy |
| Meal preparation | Medical monitoring & treatment |
| Light housekeeping | Care for illness or injury |
| Transportation & errands | Often requires a provider’s order |
| Respite for family caregivers | May be covered by Medicare if eligible |
These categories can overlap. For example, someone recovering from surgery may need skilled nursing or physical therapy through home health while also needing help with meals, bathing, laundry, or transportation through home care.
Yes. In some situations, home care and home health can complement each other.
For example, imagine an older adult returning home after a hospital stay.
A home health professional might provide skilled nursing or physical therapy as part of a medical plan of care. At the same time, a home care caregiver could help with meals, personal care, light housekeeping, companionship, or other everyday activities.
Each type of support addresses a different part of the person’s needs.
The exact services available and how they can be coordinated depend on the individual’s circumstances, provider requirements and coverage.
Medication is an area where families should pay particular attention to the difference between home care and home health.
A caregiver providing non-medical home care may be able to provide medication reminders or other assistance permitted within their role. Medication management and clinical medication-related services may require qualified healthcare professionals.
ComForCare North San Diego’s personal care information describes medication reminders as one type of caregiver assistance.
Families should ask providers exactly what medication-related assistance is included and who is qualified to provide it.
A person living with dementia may need different types of support as their needs change.
Home care can provide assistance with routines, personal care, meals, companionship, safety and meaningful activities. Specialized dementia training can also help caregivers understand communication, behavior, routines and person-centered support.
ComForCare North San Diego provides dementia support and participates in the DementiaWise® Certified Care Program.
If a person with dementia also has medical needs, home health or skilled nursing services may be appropriate as determined by their healthcare team.
Returning home after a hospitalization can involve more than medical recovery.
A person may also need help getting dressed, preparing meals, keeping the home organized, remembering medications, getting to appointments, or managing everyday activities.
This is one reason families may benefit from understanding the difference between home care and home health.
ComForCare North San Diego provides support for individuals returning home after a hospital stay, along with personal care, companionship, respite, dementia support and skilled nursing services for individuals with more complex medical needs.
Start by asking what kind of help is needed.
Then home care may be worth exploring.
Then home health care may be appropriate to discuss with the person’s healthcare provider.
Some individuals may need both.
Every person’s situation is different.
An older adult who is mostly independent but needs help with meals and transportation may have very different needs from someone recovering from a major illness or living with a complex medical condition.
Needs can also change over time.
A person may begin with a few hours of home care each week and later require additional support. Someone recovering from an injury may initially need home health services and then continue with non-medical home care as they regain independence.
The important thing is to look at the whole person not simply a diagnosis or a list of tasks.
At ComForCare Home Care North San Diego, our team provides both medical and non-medical home care services. Our local office offers personalized support based on each individual’s needs, routines, preferences and goals. For individuals with more complex medical needs, skilled nursing and private duty nursing services are available throughout San Diego County.
We serve families throughout North Inland, North Coastal and East San Diego County.
If you are unsure whether your loved one needs home care, home health, skilled nursing, or a combination of services, starting with a conversation can help clarify the options.
ComForCare Home Care North San Diego
Serving North & East San Diego County
Call Today: 858-247-1005
The right support begins with understanding what the person needs and what will help them remain as safe, comfortable and independent as possible at home.
Each office is independently owned and operated and is an equal opportunity employer.
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