What is the difference between home care and home health care
| Aspect | Home Care | Home Health Care |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Provides non-medical assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and general support for individuals who need help with tasks like bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and companionship. | Offers skilled medical services and clinical care to individuals who require medical treatments, therapies, or monitoring at home, often following hospitalization or due to chronic conditions. |
| Caregiver Qualifications | Caregivers may not necessarily have formal medical training and can include family members, friends, or professional caregivers who assist with non-medical tasks. | Care is provided by licensed healthcare professionals, such as registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), physical therapists, occupational therapists, and home health aides. |
| Services Provided | Focuses on non-medical services, including personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming), meal preparation, housekeeping, companionship, transportation, and assistance with daily activities. | Provides skilled medical services, including wound care, medication management, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical monitoring, and administration of medical treatments. |
| Medical Supervision | Does not involve medical supervision or oversight, as the primary goal is to assist with activities of daily living and ensure the individual's comfort and well-being. | Involves medical supervision and oversight by healthcare professionals who create and manage a care plan tailored to the individual's medical needs and condition. |
| Eligibility | Typically available to individuals who require assistance with non-medical tasks due to aging, disability, or the need for general support to maintain independence at home. | Appropriate for individuals with specific medical needs, chronic illnesses, post-surgery recovery, or those who need skilled medical care and monitoring at home. |
| Payment Sources | Payment sources may include private pay, long-term care insurance, or government programs like Medicaid (in some cases) for certain non-medical services. | Often covered by health insurance, Medicare (for short-term post-hospitalization care), Medicaid (in some cases), or private pay, with eligibility based on medical necessity and physician orders. |
| Care Plan | Focuses on personal care and support, with a care plan designed to address daily living needs and improve quality of life and independence. | Develops a comprehensive care plan that includes medical assessments, treatment goals, medication management, and therapies, with a focus on recovery or symptom management. |
| Duration | Can be provided on a short-term or long-term basis, depending on the individual's needs and preferences, and may change as care requirements evolve. | Typically offered on a short-term basis for post-hospitalization recovery or ongoing for individuals with chronic conditions requiring continuous medical care. |
| Goals of Care | Primarily aims to enhance the individual's quality of life, independence, and well-being by providing non-medical assistance and support. | Focuses on achieving specific medical goals, such as improving health outcomes, managing chronic conditions, preventing hospital readmissions, or facilitating recovery. |
| Examples | Examples of home care services include assistance with bathing, meal preparation, transportation, and companionship for an elderly person. | Examples of home health care services include wound care, medication management, physical therapy, and monitoring vital signs for a patient recovering from surgery. |