When a loved one begins having difficulty managing everyday activities or needs additional medical support at home, families often start researching their care options. Two terms that frequently cause confusion are home care and home health.
While both services are provided in the comfort of a person’s home, they serve different purposes. Understanding the difference can help families choose the right type of support for their loved one.
What Is Home Care?
Home care provides assistance with everyday activities and personal needs. The goal is to help individuals remain safe, comfortable, and independent in their own homes.
Depending on an individual's needs, home care services may include:
- Assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting
- Help with mobility and transfers
- Meal preparation
- Light housekeeping and laundry
- Medication reminders
- Companionship and social engagement
- Assistance with errands and other daily activities
- Support with maintaining a regular daily routine
Home care can be especially helpful for older adults who want to continue living independently but need some assistance with tasks they once handled on their own.
Importantly, someone does not necessarily need to have a serious medical condition to benefit from home care. Sometimes a little extra support can make the difference between struggling at home and continuing to live safely and independently.
What Is Home Health Care?
Home health care provides medical or skilled services to individuals who have a specific health condition, injury, illness, or recovery need.
Home health services may be provided by licensed healthcare professionals, such as registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, or other qualified clinicians.
Depending on the individual's needs and care plan, services may include:
- Skilled nursing care
- Medication management and education
- Wound care
- Disease and symptom management
- Infusion therapy
- Assistance following a hospitalization or surgery
- Monitoring of changes in a patient's condition
- Patient and family education
- Physical, occupational, or speech therapy
The goal of home health is to provide the necessary clinical care while allowing the individual to remain in a familiar environment.
| Home Care | Home Health | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Daily living and personal support | Medical and skilled care |
| Typical providers | Caregivers/home care aides | Nurses, therapists, and other licensed clinicians |
| Common needs | Bathing, dressing, meals, companionship, mobility | Wound care, medication management, recovery, skilled nursing |
| Who may benefit? | Individuals who need help with everyday activities | Individuals with a medical condition or skilled-care need |
| Main goal | Safety, independence, and quality of life | Medical management, recovery, and maintaining health |
Can Someone Receive Both Home Care and Home Health?
Yes. In many situations, home care and home health can complement one another.
For example, imagine an older adult recovering at home after a hospitalization. A nurse may visit to provide skilled nursing care, monitor the patient's condition, and help manage medications. At the same time, a caregiver may assist with bathing, meals, mobility, and household tasks.
Together, these services can address both the individual's medical needs and everyday needs.
How Do You Know Which Service Your Loved One Needs?
Start by thinking about what kind of assistance your loved one needs.
If the primary concerns are things like:
- "Mom needs help getting dressed."
- "Dad isn't comfortable showering alone."
- "My parent isn't keeping up with meals or housekeeping."
- "My loved one is lonely and would benefit from companionship."
Home care may be appropriate.
If the concerns are more medically focused, such as:
- "My loved one needs wound care."
- "They recently came home from the hospital."
- "They need skilled nursing care."
- "Their medications or medical condition need to be monitored."
- "They require infusion therapy or other specialized clinical care."
Home health may be appropriate.
And sometimes, the answer is both.
Why Choosing the Right Care Matters
The right support can help individuals remain in their homes while giving families greater peace of mind. Professional caregivers and healthcare providers can also help identify changes in a person's condition or abilities before a small concern becomes a larger problem.
Most importantly, care should be based on the individual's unique needs. What works for one family may not be the right solution for another.
We're Here to Help
At BrightStar Care of Northern Michigan, we understand that navigating care options can feel overwhelming. Our team can help families understand the types of services available and determine what may be appropriate based on their loved one's needs.
Whether someone needs assistance with everyday activities, skilled nursing services, or a combination of support, our goal is to help individuals receive compassionate, personalized care in the place they call home.
Have questions about home care or home health for yourself or a loved one? Contact BrightStar Care of Northern Michigan to learn more about your options.