What is Home Care? Is it the same as Home Health?  Hospice?  How does Home Care work, and how does it relate to Home Health and Hospice?

 What is Home Care exactly?

Home Care is a service that provides the client with companionship and assistance with day to day activities. Typical services include: light housekeeping and laundry, planning and preparing nutritious meals, helping the client to take exercise, grocery shopping, incidental transportation, assistance with bathing and dressing.  Care is provided on a visiting basis wherever the client lives. Home Care is a good option when a client can no longer live alone effectively but is not ready to move to an assisted living facility. Think of it this way – home care is like having the benefits of assisted living brought to the client’s own home, tailored to his/her needs and his/her schedule so they get just the care they want when they want it.  Home Care is not covered by Medicare or Medicaid, but may be covered by a client’s veteran’s benefits or long-term care insurance policy, especially when the alternative is expensive assisted living.

How does Home Care differ from Home Health?

Home Health agencies provide skilled nursing services and at least one of the following therapeutic services:  Physical therapy; Occupational therapy; Speech therapy; Home Health aide services. As with home care, services are provided on a visiting basis, generally in a client’s own home or in a temporary residence. Visits by Home Health are generally short and intended to provide brief treatments or care.  Home Care, on the other hand, does not normally cover medical services, and the emphasis is on providing companionship and care on an ongoing basis. Both types of care are very necessary and complement each other.

How does Home Care work in a Hospice situation?

Hospice organizations can provide acute, respite and Home Care for a client in the final stages of life, as well as bereavement services and counseling for family members. They often do not have the resources, however, to dedicate a large amount of time to each patient, and an external Home Care agency can bridge that gap.

Home Care can be accessed on its own or in concert with Home Health or Hospice services.  Caregiving services can be very flexible and can be provided from as little as 2 hours per visit. Overnight shifts or even 24/7 care are available if needed.