Home Health Care versus Home Care what is the difference?

Home Health Care agencies provide licensed nurses for medical needs such as wound care or intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy. They also provide licensed therapists for needs such as physical therapy or speech/swallow therapy. They may also provide a certified aide to help train the family how to care for a bed-bound patient by teaching them how to turn the patient to prevent bedsores, how to empty a catheter or how to give them a bath. Usually the nurse or therapist is there for about 20-30 minutes per visit. An aide may be there for an hour to hour and a half depending on the patient/family needs but leaves as soon as their task is complete. Another important factor in home health care is that when the skilled need or training is over so is the service and then you are on your own.

Home Health Care is covered by Medicare and many private insurance companies for multiple services that vary between insurance companies and Medicare plans depending on what your secondary or supplemental insurance is. Be sure to check with your case manager or insurance company to make sure you know what you are going to have to pay for before you agree to anything.

Home Care agencies provide aides to assist with the activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, and grooming. The number of hours that they are there per day depends on what you need and are able to pay for. Unfortunately, what you get also depends on what you are able to pay for. These employees do not need to be licensed personnel but you should make sure that the company where they work is licensed and bonded. Also make sure they run background checks on all their employees. You should make sure that they have back-up workers in case they are needed and that you drop in on them from time to time unexpectedly so they will keep on their toes.

Home Caregivers range from unlicensed/un-certified workers who are self-employed to caregivers who are employed by reputable agencies. They can even be a family member or friend that you know and trust. Whatever you decide, do your homework and think it through. Be sure to think about who will care for your loved one if you get sick or go on vacation. Make back-up plans with back-up plans because caring for a loved one at home is a big responsibility.

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