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