Home Care vs. Home Health: Understanding the Difference

Navigating the world of in-home care can be overwhelming — so many technical terms and details to remember, including trying to differentiate between home care and home health care. At APEX Health Services in Chicago and surrounding suburbs, we offer both home options to cater to a wide range of individual needs. Let’s explore the key differences between these two essential services so you can decide which is right for your situation.

Home Care vs. Home Health Care Services: Similarities

Here's a breakdown of the key similarities that often lead to confusion between the two:

• Familiar surroundings: Both in-home care and home health services allow individuals to receive care in their own homes which promotes a sense of comfort and security. This familiar environment can be important for recovery and well-being.
• Promoting independence: A core goal of both services is to empower individuals to maintain their independence for as long as possible. This may involve assistance with daily activities or support in managing chronic conditions.
• Individualized care: Both options can be tailored to address a person's specific needs and preferences. This ensures that the care provided effectively addresses the unique challenges that each individual faces.

Difference Between Home Care and Home Health

While both home care and home health care offer valuable support in the comfort of a patient's home, they differ in the type of care offered. This table provides a quick comparison to help you understand the key distinctions:

1. Type of Care

Home health care focuses on skilled medical services provided by licensed professionals like nurses and therapists. Home care, on the other hand, offers non-medical assistance for daily living activities.

2. Eligibility

Home health care requires a doctor's referral and documented medical need. Home care, however, is based on individual needs and preferences, not necessarily a medical condition.

3. Length of Care

Home health care is typically short-term, aimed at recovery or managing a health condition. Home care can be short-term or long-term, depending on the individual's needs. It offers assistance for as long as needed.

4. Care Team

The home health care team consists of registered nurses who oversee care, therapists specializing in specific areas like mobility or communication, and home health aides for personal care needs. Home care primarily relies on home care aides who provide hands-on assistance and companions for social interaction and emotional support.

5. Frequency

Home health care visits vary depending on the specific medical needs and doctor's orders, ranging from daily visits for a short period to a few visits per week for a longer timeframe. Home care frequency is determined by individual preferences, with visits ranging from a few hours a day to 24/7 live-in care.

6. Cost

Home health care costs depend on insurance coverage. Medicare and some private insurance may cover these services. On the other hand, home care is sometimes paid out of pocket, with a national median cost of around $30 per hour for home care aides. APEX Home Care is paid through the IL Department of Aging and Department of Rehabilitation Services.

Now, let's go into detail.

What Is Home Health Care?

Home health care involves skilled medical services provided by licensed clinical and medical professionals in a patient's home environment. These services are typically prescribed by a doctor and focus on treating or managing a specific medical condition. The goal of home health care is to promote recovery, prevent hospitalization, and improve the overall well-being of patients. Many individuals move to home health care following a hospital stay, rehabilitation center visit, or stay in a skilled nursing facility.

Key services encompassing medical care include:

• Skilled nursing care: Provided by licensed nurses in your home. Services include administering medications, monitoring vital signs, dressing wounds, performing catheter care, collecting bodily fluids, and educating on home management of conditions.
• Certified home health aides: Helps with daily living activities like bathing, dressing, grooming, using the toilet, eating, transferring, and light housekeeping for those needing support due to illness, injury, or disability.
• Physical therapy: Improves mobility, strength, and coordination through personalized exercise programs. Helps recover from surgery or injury, manage chronic conditions, enhance balance, and boost daily activity capabilities.
• Occupational therapy: Aids in regaining independence by improving self-care skills. Includes adaptive technique learning, home environment modifications for safety and accessibility, routine development, and assistance in returning to work or hobbies.
• Speech therapy: Enhances communication skills affected by stroke, brain injury, or other conditions. Focuses on clear speech, safe swallowing techniques, and alternative communication methods like communication boards.
• Rehabilitation: Comprehensive therapy combining physical, occupational, and speech therapies to restore functional abilities and enhance quality of life.
• Wound care: Includes cleaning, dressing, and monitoring wounds for healing and infection prevention at home. Treats conditions such as diabetic ulcers, pressure sores, surgical wounds, and burns.
• Post-surgery care/orthopedic care: Supports recovery from orthopedic surgery with pain management, wound care, physical therapy exercises for strength and mobility improvement, and home care education.
• Chronic disease canagement: Tackles a wide range of long-term health conditions to empower you to manage them effectively in your own home. These conditions include diabetes disease, stroke, Parkinson's disease, and others.

What Is Home Care?

Non-medical home care includes assistance with everyday tasks for individuals who require support but don’t need skilled medical attention. It focuses on enhancing independence and quality of life by providing companionship, personal care, and household assistance.

Home care services usually include:

• Companionship and social interaction
• Personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming, incontinence care)
• Light housekeeping (cleaning, laundry, meal preparation)
• Medication reminders and assistance
• Transportation and errands
• Respite care for family caregivers