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Distinction between home care services and elderly home health services
It can be difficult to understand the differences between in-home care and home health services. But when you're charged with the care of an aging loved one, being clear on those differences can help you best navigate care decisions.
What are the differences between home health care and home care?
What is home care?
Professional caregivers are hired through a home care agency, like Home Instead®, to perform a range of valuable elderly home care services. The specific services they provide depend on the needs of the individuals they work with.
Professional caregivers may help patients travel to and from doctor's appointments or perform light household chores. Generally, though, they help your loved one age safely and independently at home by assisting with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
What are home health care services?
Elderly home health care companies staff licensed health care aides who are capable of providing at-home medical care. They can administer medications, draw blood, and advise their clients about their diets. They can also recommend physical therapy and order some lab tests.
Hiring at home health care services could be the right decision for your senior loved one if they require medical care and not just assistance around the house. Home healthcare nurses may be necessary if your aging loved one needs medication assistance or temporary care while they're recovering from surgery, stroke, or heart attack. Simply search, "home health aides near me" to find providers in your area.
Services Comparison Chart
| Services Provided | Home Care Agencies | Home Health Agencies |
|---|---|---|
| ADL assistance |  |
|
| Occupational, physical, and / or speech therapy | |
|
| Personal care | |
|
| Administer medications | |
|
| Medication reminders | |
|
| Transportation | |
|
| Grocery shopping | |
|
| Administer IV, injections, and wound care | |
|
| Housekeeping | |
Home Instead personalized caregiving services at home
Personal care: Personal care involves assisting with daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and hygiene.
Alzheimer’s and dementia care: Our hired caregivers are trained to provide a safe and structured environment, engage in memory-enhancing activities, and address the specific needs of those with cognitive impairments.
Hospice care: We focus on ensuring comfort, providing pain management, and emotional support for the patient and their family during the end-of-life stage.
24-hour care: 24-hour care is an option when a patient needs constant personal home care assistance to ensure their safety. This is often the case for bed-bound people and people who are:
- Recovering from surgery
- Living with Alzheimer's disease or dementia
- Recovering from a stroke, heart attack, or other serious health event
Mobility assistance: We help individuals with limited mobility to move around safely. Caregiver companions may assist with transferring from bed to chair, walking support, and using mobility aids to enhance independence.
Meal Prep: Meal preparation services involve planning and cooking nutritious meals based on dietary preferences and restrictions, ensuring proper nutrition.
Transportation: Care Pros help individuals get to medical appointments, run errands, or attend social activities. This is valuable for those with difficulty driving or using public transportation.
Housekeeping: Services include light cleaning and organizing tasks to maintain a safe and comfortable living environment. This may involve tasks such as dusting, vacuuming, and laundry.
Medication reminders: Our Care Pros provide timely reminders for individuals to take their medications as prescribed. This service helps ensure medication adherence and proper management of health conditions.
Chronic illness care: Assistance for individuals with long-term health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or respiratory disorders. We help manage symptoms, monitor health, and coordinate with healthcare professionals.
What are the benefits of home care?
There are several benefits to receiving private, elderly care in the home, for you and your aging loved one. Home care providers, like Home Instead, offer respite care to family caretakers as well as the peace of mind of knowing your loved one is in good hands. For seniors, the benefits of one-on-one, personal home care assistance include:
- Access to high-quality, personalized care
- Greater independence
- Enhanced safety and comfort
- Companionship and social engagement
Why Home Instead?
Choosing someone to care for your family is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make. Our companion caregivers not only provide a superior level of care but also bring joy and reassurance to those they spend time with. Contact Home Instead for:
- Qualified caregivers. Home Instead care professionals are screened, extensively trained, and reliable
- Customized care plans. Our in-home care consultations develop an individualized care plan for your loved one’s specific home care needs.
- High-quality care. We regularly evaluate the care we provide to better it through in-person reassessments, surveys, and conversations with family and healthcare providers.
Free care consultation
Your local Home Instead performs a thorough in-home consultation to recommend a care plan. Whether it's respite to get a good night’s sleep or 24-hour home care to help your loved one stay safe and comfortable, services can be tailored to meet your needs.
Find home care services near me
Our mission is to help your loved ones maintain their safety and independence in the comfort of their familiar surroundings. Contact us today to find reliable senior care services.