They sound the same, but are different services
The words “home health care” and “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, and show the similarities and differences in a quick comparison chart.
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
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 (when prescribed) | | |
| 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 | | |
Recommended for you:
- 3 Tips to Choose Between Assisted Living vs In-Home Care
- 7 Steps for Hiring a Caregiver for In-Home Help
- When They Say No: 8 Ways to Introduce In-Home Care for Seniors
By DailyCaring Editorial Team
C. Doskas
I just read your posting on your web site.
I do have a question: How do we request help for an elderly person through your organization?
DailyCaring
Thanks for your interest, but we don’t offer any services since we’re an online-only resource for caregivers through our website and email newsletter.
Your local Area Agency on Aging may also be able to connect you to organizations that can help. More info here – Area Agency on Aging: Local Resources for Seniors https://dailycaring.com/area-agency-on-aging-resources-for-seniors/
Ester
I am an LPN I have my mother in law living with me know, she suffers from dementia, chronic diabetes mellitus, she is unsteady, I have to go to work, I am worried about her. I have hired a caregiver but it is getting expensive. Is there any programs that will pay me as a nurse to care for my mother in law. Thank you. I live in az.
DailyCaring
We share information and links to programs that pay family caregivers here – Getting Paid as a Family Caregiver: 3 Government Benefits Programs https://dailycaring.com/getting-paid-as-a-family-caregiver-3-government-benefits-programs/
You may also be able to find programs that help with other expenses here – Find Financial Help for Seniors: 2,500+ Federal, State, and Private Benefits Programs https://dailycaring.com/find-financial-help-for-seniors-federal-state-and-private-benefits-programs/
P.Caur
Hello.. we live in California and my parents are living with me, My mom is having health issues, so my dad is taking care of her and doing most of her daily chores including cooking, cleaning for her for the last few years and recently we came to know that my dad can receive some cash support because he is taking care of her and it is consider in-home care. did you know where we can apply or call?
DailyCaring
This article has information and links to government programs that pay family members who are providing care — 3 Ways of Getting Paid as a Family Caregiver: Government Benefits Programs https://dailycaring.com/3-ways-of-getting-paid-as-a-family-caregiver-government-benefits-programs/
Miriam Ruiz
Good afternoon we live in Texas and me and my mom are taking care about my grandfather (96yrs old) we are taking care for 11 yrs and recently we know my mom can receive a check because she was not able to work, did you know where we can apply or call?
DailyCaring
It’s wonderful that you and your mom have been caring for your grandfather. Full-time caregivers may be eligible to be paid for caregiving through government programs. Get more info on them here — 3 Ways of Getting Paid as a Family Caregiver: Government Benefits Programs https://dailycaring.com/3-ways-of-getting-paid-as-a-family-caregiver-government-benefits-programs/
Your local Area Agency on Aging may be able to connect you to other local organizations who can provide help. More info here — Local Community Resources for Seniors and Caregivers: Area Agency on Aging https://dailycaring.com/local-community-resources-for-seniors-and-caregivers-area-agency-on-aging/
You may also be are eligible for government assistance programs that help pay for caregiving costs. More info here — Benefits Programs Help Pay for Caregiving Expenses https://dailycaring.com/financial-help-caregiving-expenses/
Derick Jackson
I have appreciate with getting lot of good and reliable, legislative information with your post.Thanks for sharing such kind of nice and wonderful post.
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!
Sauda Namanda
This article was so interesting and has shown what the great difference,though some similarities
DailyCaring
So glad it was helpful!