Home Care vs. Home Health: Understanding the Difference
As more people choose to age in place or recover at home after a hospital stay, the terms home care and home health have become increasingly common. While they may sound similar, they serve different purposes and are often provided by different types of professionals. Understanding the distinction is crucial for families making important care decisions for themselves or loved ones.
What Is Home Care?
Home care refers to non-medical assistance provided in a person’s home. This type of care helps with daily living activities and supports overall quality of life, especially for seniors or individuals with chronic conditions or disabilities.
Services Typically Include:
Help with bathing, dressing, and grooming
Meal preparation and feeding assistance
Light housekeeping and laundry
Medication reminders (but not administration)
Companionship and social interaction
Transportation to appointments or errands
Who provides it?
Home care is typically delivered by certified nursing assistants (CNAs), personal care aides (PCAs), or home health aides (HHAs)—trained professionals who are not licensed to provide medical care.
Who is it for?
Home care is ideal for individuals who:
Need help with day-to-day activities
Are aging in place but require extra support
Need companionship to reduce loneliness and isolation
What Is Home Health?
Home health, on the other hand, involves skilled medical care delivered in a patient’s home, usually prescribed by a doctor following an illness, injury, or surgery.
Services Typically Include:
Wound care and dressing changes
Injections or IV therapy
Physical, occupational, or speech therapy
Monitoring chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, heart disease)
Vital sign monitoring and medication administration
Post-surgical rehabilitation
Who provides it?
Home health services are delivered by licensed healthcare professionals, such as registered nurses (RNs), physical therapists, occupational therapists, or home health aides under the supervision of medical staff.
Who is it for?
Home health is typically for individuals who:
Are recovering from surgery or a hospital stay
Have a chronic condition that needs regular medical oversight
Require therapy services to regain mobility or function
Can You Have Both?
Yes! Many people benefit from a combination of home care and home health services. For example, a person recovering from surgery might receive home health visits from a nurse and physical therapist while also receiving home care support for bathing, meals, and housekeeping.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right type of in-home support depends on a person’s health, level of independence, and care needs. If you’re unsure which service is best for your loved one, consult with a primary care physician or a home care agency—they can guide you through the options and help coordinate the appropriate care.