Health Literacy Month – Home Care Versus Home Health Care

Many confuse home health and home care services. They sound the same and provide services in the home, yet they are distinctively different in the type of services provided.

Home Care provides nonmedical services including senior transportation, companionship, engaging in hobbies, and help with daily tasks like bathing, meal preparation, grooming and housekeeping. Home care is generally provided daily and sometimes as much as 24/7. It is paid either directly, through private pay or by long-term care insurance, veteran benefits, and Medicaid, although Medicaid coverage differs according to each state.

Home Health Care on the other hand is medical in nature and provided by licensed medical professionals, such as doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists. Services include skilled nursing, wound care, injections, rehabilitation therapy, help with medication and medical equipment, medical tests, and pain management. Because Home Health Care is medical in nature, it must be prescribed by a medical professional, and is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance.