HOW IS HOME CARE DIFFERENT FROM HOME HEALTH?

Home health is clinical, skilled care (nurses, therapists, etc.) working
with those in recovery. Home care is tailored, non-medical, and personal
care for seniors, adults with disabilities, new moms, and individuals
recovering from illness or surgery. While home health is medical care,
home care is caregivers/companions who help with daily activities and
provide companionship and monitoring services. Home care and home
health both focus on helping clients remain independent in their own
homes through personalized care plans and services and may be used
together or separately.
IS HOME CARE ONLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE IMMOBILE OR BEDBOUND?
Not at all. Home care is designed for individuals who are not bed-bound
but need help with daily routines. You do not need to be disabled or in a
crisis to require these services. Home care aides provide crucial support
for individuals with dementia, recovering from surgery, or needing
companionship, starting from just a few hours a week up to 24/7.
CAN I AFFORD HOME CARE?
Home care is usually less expensive than long-term care facilities or nursing
homes. Moreover, studies show that patients recover faster and with fewer
readmissions in the comfort of their own home. And if the time comes when
you do need to transition into long-term care facilities or nursing homes,
your home care team can help you in the transition process. Many clients
pay for home care through a combination of Medicaid (for low-income/
assets), long-term care insurance, veterans benefits (VA), and private “outof-
pocket” payments such as savings, annuities, or home equity.
WHAT OTHER SERVICES MIGHT A HOME CARE
COMPANY PROVIDE FOR MY LOVED ONE?
Care isn’t only about medical needs. Home care professionals provide
comprehensive support, including meal preparation, cleaning, grooming,
medication reminders, healthy-living support, and transportation to
appointments, significantly boosting mental health and reducing isolation.
Many agencies also offer 24/7 monitoring, free in-home safety checks,
routine wellness check-ins for medication, and hydration reminders.
WHY IS HOME CARE PREFERABLE TO LONGTERM
CARE FACILITIES OR NURSING HOMES?
Studies show that most seniors do better — emotionally and psychologically
— aging in place in their own surroundings. Staying home provides
familiarity, preserves independence, and can reduce stress, often leading
to better mental health and, as a result, better physical health outcomes.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN A HOME CARE AGENCY?
Not all home care agencies are equal. It’s vital to select a licensed, bonded,
and insured provider that conducts thorough background checks on all
employees, ensures rigorous staff training, and offers care plans that fit
your family’s specific, changing needs. You want an agency that feels like
an extension of your family when you can’t be there, providing peace of
mind, reducing stress, and helping seniors and others stay in their own
homes longer. Look for an agency that offers free in-home consultation
and safety assessments to help identify specific needs and create a safe
environment for your loved one.
WHEN YOU CAN’T BE THERE
HOME CARE
L I V I N GMA G A Z I N E . N E T