They sound the same, but are different services
The words “home health care” and “in home care” sound so similar, most people assume they’re the same thing.
But they’re not the same and there are some important differences. We explain what home health care is, what in home care is, how they can be used together.
Home health care is medical care
Home health care is skilled care from medical professionals and requires a written order from a doctor.
This type of care helps older adults recover at home from a serious health issue.
It’s usually less expensive, more convenient, and as effective as care from a hospital or skilled nursing facility (nursing home).
Services typically include:
- At-home physical, occupational, or speech therapy
- Monitoring serious illness and unstable health status
- Pain management
- Injections
- Wound care for pressure sores or a surgical wound
- Intravenous (IV) or nutrition therapy
In home care is non-medical care
In home care services are non-medical and primarily help older adults with activities of daily living and personal care.
The main goal of home care is to keep someone safe and comfortable in their own home.
Services typically include:
- Help with personal grooming, like bathing or getting dressed
- Medication reminders
- Help with moving around, getting in and out of bed or the shower
- Preparing meals
- Light housekeeping like washing dishes, vacuuming, or doing laundry
- Companionship and friendship
Home health care and in-home care often work together
There are many situations in which in-home care and home health providers work together to help an older adult.
Someone recovering from a major health event usually needs support with everyday life as well as specialized therapy or nursing-level services to continue their recovery.
For example, here’s how home health and in home care could work together:
Helping with medication
- An in home caregiver helps your older adult remember to take daily medications
- A home health nurse can adjust or change medications as needed
Getting physical therapy
- A physical therapist teaches your older adult do therapeutic exercises that will improve their health condition
- An in home caregiver is there to encourage them to do their physical therapy exercises every day, help keep them safe, watch for problems, and let the physical therapist know how the exercises are going
Source: HOME HEALTH CARE VS HOME CARE: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? by DailyCaring.