When people get older or get well from illnesses, they need to be taken care of at home instead of hospitals or nursing facilities because that is comfortable, secure, and personal to them. While people understand the meaning of home care, there are people out there who do not know that home health care is different from home care.
In real life, these two services are quite distinct and dissimilar from one another based on their purposes, services required, professionals involved, and cost. The above-mentioned guide will definitely help you understand the difference between professional home health care and home care in a simple way.
Definition of Home Health Care
The term home health care, as defined, "means medical care provided at home by a health care professional such as nurses, physiotherapists, and doctors." Typically, home health care is recommended or prescribed by a doctor and is usually needed for people who require medical treatment, monitoring, and therapy. Home health care is often required by an individual when he or she is recuperating from a surgery, or suffers from a chronic condition or requires skilled nursing.
Home health care means centers around receiving health care or clinical services in the home as opposed to receiving the clinical or medical services in the hospital or the clinical setting. The core goal or function of the home healthcare services is to improve and enhance the health of the patient, cure the sickness, and prevent complications from arising.
Home health care is generally part of a treatment plan, and it can be subject to reimbursement within a national health system.
What is Home Care?
Home care refers to the support service given to a patient at home, aimed at assisting the patient in various ways to carry out his/her activities and personal needs. In most cases, home care services are given to the elderly, the disabled, or those with difficulties in carrying out their daily activities but do not need medical care. Home care is focused on providing comfort, safety, and independence but not medical care.
Professional Home Health Care vs. Home Care: Key Differences
1. Nature of Services
Home Health Care
Home health care provides medical services such as:
- Wound care
- Injections and IV therapy
- Vital sign monitoring
- Post-surgery care
- Chronic disease management
- Rehabilitation therapy
- Catheterization
- Tube insertion & feeding
- Vaccination
- Maternal care home visit
Home Care
Home care provides non-medical support, such as:
- Bathing and grooming
- Dressing assistance
- Meal preparation
- Housekeeping
- Companionship
- Mobility support
2. Types of Professionals Involved
Home Health Care Professionals
- Home health care services are provided by licensed professionals such as:
- Registered Nurses
- Licensed practical nurses
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech therapists
- Doctors (for visit(s) or telemedicine)
- Ayurveda Service
This is why home health care is considered clinical care.
Home Care Professionals
Home care is provided by:
- Caregivers
- Home aides
- Personal support workers
- Companions
These caregivers are trained but usually not licensed medical professionals.
3. Medical vs. Non-Medical Focus
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Common Home Health Nursing Services
- Medication administration
- Catheter and wound care
- Blood pressure and sugar monitoring
- Post-surgery nursing care
- Palliative and hospice care
- Chronic disease management
Home health nursing helps patients avoid hospital readmissions and recover faster in a comfortable home environment.
Homecare Health Services: What Do They Include?
There are different types of homecare health services provided to an individual in their home. Various homecare services can be offered to meet the specific patient requirements.
Medical Homecare Health Services
- Skilled nursing
- Doctor consultations
- Home physiotherapy
- Lab tests at home
- Medical equipment support
Non-Medical Homecare Health Services
- Personal hygiene assistance
- Elder companionship
- Mobility assistance
Some agencies offer both home health care and home care as combined packages.
When Do You Need Home Health Care?
You should choose home health care if:
- A doctor recommends medical care at home
- You are recovering from surgery
- You have chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease.
- You need injections, wound dressing, or IV therapy
- You need physical or occupational therapy
Home health care is ideal for patients who need professional medical supervision but prefer staying at home.
When Do You Need Home Care?
You should choose home care if:
- You are elderly and need help with daily tasks
- You have mobility issues
- You live alone or need companionship
- Need help with cooking, cleaning, or personal care
- You want to maintain independence at home
Home care is ideal for people who are stable but need daily support.
Cost Difference Between Home Health Care and Home Care
Home Health Care Cost
General Information
Home health care is generally more costly because it involves a licensed medical professional and/or equipment. Some of the cost may be reimbursed through insurance or government assistance programs.
Home Care Cost
Home care is often cheaper because it is non-medical in nature. Cost is based on the hours of service and experience of the caregiver.
Benefits of Professional Home Health Care
1. Medical Expertise at Home - Patients receive professional medical treatment without going to hospitals.
2. Faster Recovery= Patients recover faster in familiar surroundings.
3. Reduced Hospital Visits = Home health care decreases hospital readmissions and emergency visits.
4. Personalized Treatment Plans= The care plans are personalized depending on the condition of the patient and the doctor’s recommendation.
Benefits of Home Care
1. Comfort and Independence- They can stay in their own habitat and enjoy their lifestyle.
2. Emotional Support= Caregivers provide companionship, thus reducing loneliness/depression.
3. Family Relief= The members of the family receive relief so that they are left free to attend to other matters.
4. Flexible Scheduling – Home care services can be provided on an hourly, daily, or full-time basis.
How to Choose Between Home Health Care and Home Care
Choose Home Health Care If:
- Medical treatment is needed
- Doctor recommends skilled care
- Patient condition requires monitoring
Choose Home Care If:
- Daily assistance is needed
- Patient is medically stable
- Family needs caregiving support
In many cases, families use both services together for complete support.
Get Trusted Home Health Services with Adhisaat Today
If you and your loved ones need to receive quality and reliable Home Health Care Services, Adhisaat is a trustworthy and dedicated Home Health Service provider for the delivery of extensive Home Health Services that include an extensive list of Services:
- Physiotherapy for mobility and pain relief
- Patient Recovery care after surgery or illness
- Elderly Care for seniors who need daily assistance and medical support
- Routine Checkups for regular health monitoring at home
- Nebulizations for respiratory support and breathing treatments
Our trained Caregivers, nurses, and healthcare professionals deliver personalized care plans to meet every patient’s unique needs.
Health Care Equipment Provided by Adhisaat
We also provide essential Health Care Equipment to support home treatment and recovery, such as:
- Oxygen Concentrators and Oxygen Cylinders
- Nebulizers and Respiratory Support Devices
- Hospital Beds and Adjustable Patient Beds
- Wheelchairs and Walkers
- BP Monitors and Glucometers
- Pulse Oximeters
- Suction Machines
- Patient Lifting and Mobility Aids
Contact Adhisaat today to get complete home health care solutions with professional Caregivers and advanced medical equipment, ensuring safe, comfortable, and high-quality care at home.
Conclusion
The difference between professional home health care and home care needs to be understood when selecting the right home care either for you or your loved ones.
The definition of home health care is mainly the provision of medical treatment that is required to be rendered at the patient’s home. Home care, on the other hand, is the provision of daily support and companionship to the patient. Homecare therapy, home health nursing, and other homecare health services are very important for the healing and care of the patient. Both home health care and home care are necessary for the improvement of the quality of life of the person.