When your loved one cannot take care of themselves due to aging, they’ve recently undergone surgery, or they’re learning to live with a condition, they need assistance.
In this case, you need to get professional home healthcare or home care for your loved one. Unfortunately, because these services are so close in their wording, many families struggle to choose the right service.
To make the right choice, you need to understand the differences between the two. At Trusted Touch Healthcare, we know how important a decision for home health can be. Contact us today to see how we can better serve you and your loved ones!
Understanding Home Care and Home Healthcare
They sound very similar, but the services they include are different. We’ll start by defining both services before moving to their differences.
What Is Home Care?
Also known as non-medical home care, It’s a service that helps people with their daily living activities from the comfort of their own homes.
It’s ideal for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help but do not require medical attention. The goal of this is to improve quality of life by providing support that promotes independence.
Services include assistance with personal tasks like bathing, dressing, and grooming. Caregivers can also help with household chores such as light housework, meal preparation, grocery shopping and medication refills.
Additionally, companionship is an important part of it, offering emotional support and reducing feelings of isolation, especially for seniors who want to age in place.
What Is Home Healthcare?
Home healthcare is a medical service provided in your home. You might use it if you are recovering from an illness, have a long-term health condition, or need temporary skilled help.
At Trusted Touch Healthcare, the service is delivered by professionals such as licensed nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. The common goals of this are to address specific health needs, support recovery, and monitor your medical condition at home.
These healthcare services can include wound care, managing medications, giving injections, and physical therapy after surgery or injury. It’s ideal for those who need chronic care since it may involve regular checks to adjust treatment or monitor vital signs.
This type of support requires trained professionals who can provide the specialized services you need.
Differences Between Home Healthcare and Home Care
While both options allow individuals to remain in their homes, the key distinction lies in the level of help provided.
Home care focuses on everyday support and companionship, ensuring comfort and independence, while home healthcare delivers skilled medical services to manage health conditions.
Choosing between them depends on the individual’s needs, whether for long-term assistance or medical supervision.
Medical vs. Non-Medical Services
Both serve different purposes. Home care helps with daily tasks and provides companionship without medical support. It aims to improve quality of life and support independence.
In contrast, home healthcare includes medical services offered by healthcare professionals to address specific health needs. Understanding this key difference helps people choose the right service based on their individual needs.
Who Provides the Service?
Home care is usually provided by aides or family caregivers. They offer help with everyday tasks and provide companionship. These home health aides must have training but do not need a medical license.
Home healthcare is provided by licensed professionals, like registered practical nurses and therapists. These medical professionals have specialized training and are qualified to give medical treatment and therapy.
Purpose and Goals
Homecare aims to help people live independently. It focuses on personal care, meal preparation, and companionship. The main goal is to improve quality of life.
Home healthcare focuses on recovery and rehabilitation. It deals with medical issues and aims for healing and health improvement.
Regulation and Oversight
Medical at home has strict regulations on state and national levels. Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance plans usually cover necessary home healthcare programs.
In contrast, homecare is less regulated and is often paid for out-of-pocket or through long-term care insurance. This reflects its focus on non-medical assistance and support services.
Duration of Need
Homecare typically serves the elderly or those with disabilities over a long period, helping with daily living activities. It often encompasses Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease Care.
Home healthcare is usually a short-term option for recovery or ongoing medical conditions. While it can continue for chronic needs, it is tied to specific medical requirements and treatment plans.
How to Decide Between Home Healthcare and Home Care
When deciding between the two, start by looking at what your loved one needs.
If your loved one has practical challenges, homecare may be enough. If they have medical needs, home healthcare is probably required. Involve the doctor in this decision. The doctor can help you determine what service your loved one needs.
You should also consider the long-term situation. Home care can adjust to your loved one’s changing needs, while home healthcare usually focuses on short-term recovery or stabilization.
Discover the Right Service for Your Loved One
Home healthcare means getting extra medical help at home, while home care focuses on assistance with daily living activities. Both services are important for keeping a person comfortable and familiar in their own home. Home healthcare provides skilled nursing for recovery, while home care helps with everyday tasks.
Trusted Touch Healthcare is pleased to provide both services! Call us today to discuss compassionate, personalized solutions for families. We should mention that we offer Homecare to Washington DC residents and Home Healthcare to those in Maryland and Virginia.
