Home Healthcare vs.Home Care

There is a misunderstanding in our state about the differences between home care and home health care. Below are th primary differences and what it means to you as a consumer:

1. Home Healthcare is MEDICARE driven. Medicare allows a certain amount of dollars to be spent on home care froma skilled provider (RN, LPN, therapist).

2. The home healthcare agency sets a goal for progress that must be met for services to continue.

3. The home healthcare agency sends a skilled provider into the home for visits to assess the status of the client to ensure that they are improving.

4. Home healthcare agencies do not provide services for activities of daily living like cooking, feeding, grooming, transportation.

5. Home care agencies provide the activities of daily living and respite care.

6. Medicare does NOT pay for home care services. These services are generally paid through long term care insurance, the VA, or private pay.

7. Home healthcare and home care work together to ensure that the client has all of their medical and non-medical needs cared for.

Ask your home care or home healthcare agency if you qualify or need additional care.