Understanding the Difference Between Home Care and Home Health

When families start researching care options for an aging parent, two terms come up constantly: "home care" and "home health."

They sound almost identical. They both happen at home. They both involve caregivers. It's easy to assume they're the same thing.

They're not.

Understanding the difference between home care and home health is essential for finding the right support for your loved one — and for understanding what insurance will and won't cover.

Home Health Care: Medical Services at Home

Home health care is skilled medical care delivered in the home by licensed healthcare professionals. It's prescribed by a doctor and typically follows a hospitalization, surgery, or acute medical event.

Who Provides It:

1. Registered Nurses (RNs)
2. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
3. Physical Therapists
4. Occupational Therapists
5. Speech-Language Pathologists
6. Medical Social Workers

What They Do:

1. Wound care and dressing changes
2. IV therapy and injections
3. Physical therapy exercises
4. Monitoring vital signs and health status
5. Managing medications
6. Post-surgical care
7. Chronic disease management

How It's Paid For: Home health is typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance when ordered by a physician and deemed medically necessary. It's usually short-term and focused on recovery or stabilization.

Limitations:

1. Requires a doctor's order
2. Must meet specific medical criteria
3. Limited hours and duration
4. Focused on medical tasks, not daily living support
5. Visits are intermittent (a few times per week), not continuous

Home Care: Non-Medical Support for Daily Living

Home care — also called non-medical home care, personal care, or private duty care — provides assistance with daily activities that aren't medical in nature but are essential for living safely and comfortably at home.

Who Provides It:

1. Trained caregivers
2. Home care aides
3. Companions

What They Do:

1. Bathing, dressing, and grooming assistance
2. Meal preparation and feeding support
3. Medication reminders (not administration)
4. Light housekeeping and laundry
5. Companionship and conversation
6. Transportation to appointments
7. Mobility assistance and fall prevention
8. Supervision for safety (especially for those with dementia)

How It's Paid For: Home care is typically private pay — paid out of pocket by families. However, it may also be covered by:

1. Long-term care insurance
2. Veterans benefits (Aid and Attendance)
3. Some Medicaid waiver programs

Medicare does not cover non-medical home care because it's considered custodial (helping with daily living) rather than skilled medical care.

Flexibility:

1. No doctor's order required
2. Available for as many hours as needed — from a few hours weekly to 24/7 care
3. Long-term and ongoing, not just short-term recovery
4. Focused on quality of life and independence

Side-by-Side Comparison

Which One Does Your Parent Need?

Your parent may need home health if:

1. They're recovering from surgery or hospitalization
2. They have wounds that need skilled care
3. They need physical or occupational therapy
4. They require medical monitoring or injections
5. A doctor has ordered skilled services

Your parent may need home care if:

1. They need help with bathing, dressing, or grooming
2. They shouldn't be left alone due to safety concerns
3. They have dementia and need supervision
4. They need meal preparation or medication reminders
5. They're isolated and would benefit from companionship
6. Family caregivers need respite

Many families need both.

It's common for seniors to receive home health visits for medical needs while also having a home caregiver for daily support. The two services complement each other — home health addresses medical recovery while home care addresses everything else.

A Common Source of Confusion

Families often assume that Medicare will cover a caregiver to help their parent with daily activities. When they learn it doesn't, they're surprised and sometimes frustrated.

Here's the reality: Medicare is health insurance. It covers medical treatment, not help with housekeeping, bathing, or companionship. This gap is exactly why home care services exist — to provide the non-medical support that helps seniors live safely at home.

The good news is that home care is often more affordable than families expect, especially compared to assisted living or nursing home costs. And for those with long-term care insurance or veteran status, coverage may be available.

Finding the Right Fit

Understanding the difference between home care and home health helps you ask the right questions and find the right support.

If your parent needs help with daily activities — not medical treatment — non-medical home care is likely what you're looking for.

If you're unsure what kind of support your parent needs, we're happy to talk through your situation and help you understand your options.

Call 1-888-896-8275 or email ask@gcaresolution.com