By Kevin Mischke, Director Family Services at Concierge Care Advisors
I was helping one of our advisors and making calls to find In-Home Care Services. I mistakenly said Home Health when speaking on the phone and realized that many people may not know that there is a difference between In-Home Care and Home Health Services.
Home care and home health care are two types of services provided to people who need assistance with daily living activities due to illness, injury, or age-related limitations. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to two different types of care.
Home care is a non-medical service that provides assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, and light housekeeping. Home care providers can also offer companionship and assistance with transportation, errands, and social activities. Home care is generally provided by non-medical caregivers or home health aides.
Home health care, on the other hand, is a medical service that provides skilled nursing care, rehabilitation therapy, and other medical services to people who are recovering from illness or injury or managing a chronic health condition. Home health care can be provided by licensed healthcare professionals such as registered nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists.
In summary, home care provides assistance with non-medical daily living activities, while home health care provides skilled medical services to people who require ongoing medical care or rehabilitation.