Two different services with similar names
When most people hear the words “home health care” and “in-home care,” they assume those services are the same. It turns out there are some important differences.
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 (SNF).
Services can include:
- Wound care for pressure sores or a surgical wound
- At-home physical, occupational, or speech therapy
- Monitoring serious illness and unstable health status
- Intravenous (IV) or nutrition therapy
- Pain management
- Injections
In-home care is non-medical care
In-home care services are non-medical and primarily help older adults with the activities of daily living. The main goal is to keep them safe and comfortable in their own homes.
Services can include:
- Help with personal grooming, like bathing or getting dressed
- Help with moving around, getting in and out of bed or the shower
- Medication reminders
- Help preparing meals
- Help with household chores like vacuuming or doing laundry
- Companionship and friendship
Home health care and in-home care often work together
Here are two examples where in-home care and home health care services can work together to help your older adult.
Medication
- An in-home caregiver helps them remember to take daily medications.
- A home health nurse can adjust or change medications as needed.
Physical therapy
- A home health agency can work with the doctor to adjust physical therapy if it’s not working.
- An in-home caregiver is there to encourage your older adult to do their physical therapy exercises, watch for problems, and let the physical therapist know how the exercises are going.
Quick comparison chart: Home health care vs In-home care
| Home health care | In-home care | |
| Companionship, meal prep, light housekeeping, help with personal grooming and hygiene |  |
 |
| Help getting in and out of bed, help to and from the bathroom | |
|
| Reminders to take medication | |
|
| Must be prescribed by a doctor | |
|
| Covered by Medicare | |
|
| Skilled nursing, wound care, injections, IVs, or pain management at home | |
|
| Change or adjust medications as needed | |
|
| At-home visits from a physical therapist, occupational therapist, or speech therapist | |
|
You might also like:
— 7 Things You Must Do When Hiring an In-Home Caregiver
— What You Need To Know Before Your Senior Leaves the Hospital
— Use This Guide to Help Seniors Stay in Their Homes
By DailyCaring Editorial Team
Image: Frances Fox
Kim Logan
My Mom has had a series of fractures and came to live with me a year ago. I am on social security disability myself with little resources …but we have managed. I am trying to get adult day health approved as a support … her income is too much for Medi Cal…to cover the share of cost is 900 and she has to pay rent to live with me in my hud apartment …after share of cost and bills it is too much and I only have an income of 800 per month…What do we do?
DailyCaring
I’m so sorry that you’re in this situation 🙁 I’d suggest that you connect with the Area Agency on Aging in your county. They may know of programs that can help you with caregiving or other household expenses. More info on them here — http://dailycaring.com/local-community-resources-for-seniors-and-caregivers-area-agency-on-aging/
I’d also recommend checking to see what other government benefits programs your older adult (and you) may be eligible for — there are over 2,500 federal, state, and private benefit programs available. We’ve got more info on how to do that here — http://dailycaring.com/financial-help-caregiving-expenses/
Marcus Coons
I had no idea that in-home care services offered help with laundry. We are looking for a way to help our mom get the help she needs around the house and I think we just found it thanks to you. It is important to remember that when choosing a company to care for your loved one’s needs, it is important to compare several ones and find the one with the best reviews and services in your area.
DailyCaring
So glad this article is helpful!
Amy Tang
Nice to read. I really appreciate the insight here in this post and wanted to say thank you for giving me the answers of questions in my mind.
DailyCaring.com
So glad this article is helpful!
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