Home Health Vs. Home Care: Understanding The Key Differences

As we get older, many of us find we need assistance with the activities of daily living. While it’s possible to receive care in a nursing home or other facility, more and more individuals are choosing to stay in their own homes. Home health care and home care are two options for individuals needing help in their homes, but they are not the same.

Julia Capps, RN, operations director of home health central and western divisions at Franciscan Health, explains the difference between home health care and home care to help you understand which services might be right for you or a loved one.

What Is Home Health Care?

Home health care is medical care provided in the home, often by licensed healthcare professionals, such as nurses and therapists. These services help patients recover from an illness or injury and manage a chronic disease or the symptoms of a serious illness. Home health care services offer a wide range of medical treatments and support, including medication management, speech and occupational therapy, physical therapy, wound care, disease management education and nutritional counseling.

What Is Home Care?

Home care is non-medical care provided in the home. Home care aides are not licensed healthcare professionals. They assist with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, cooking and cleaning. Home care may also include companionship, appointment transportation, housekeeping and medication reminders. 

It’s important to note insurance typically covers home health care, while patients generally pay for home care out-of-pocket. 

Which Patients Are Candidates For Home Health Care?

“An ideal candidate for home health care is one who is homebound,” Capps said. “This means it’s very difficult for them to get out of the house, get to medical appointments or get the care they need.” They usually need others to help them.

What Are Some Of The Biggest Misconceptions About Home Health Care?

One of the biggest misconceptions about home health care is that it includes non-medical services, such as housekeeping and meal preparation. Rather, as Capps explained, “skilled agencies, which is what Franciscan Health is, actually come into the home and provide that skilled level of care, whether it’s with a nurse, physical therapist or speech therapist.” Those clinicians provide medical care, helping patients after an injury with home rehab, disease and medication management, condition education, or similar support.

Another misconception Capps hears is that patients fear they can’t keep their regular family physician if they use home health care. “That’s not the case either,” she said. “Home health care plans work in combination with the primary care physician, the patient and the home health agency clinicians.”

What Makes Franciscan’s Home Health Care Different Than Others?

“Being a large health system, as Franciscan Health is, we have the breadth and expertise of services and can provide those throughout the state,” Capp said.

Franciscan’s eight offices across Indiana and Illinois – in Olympia Fields, Hobart, Michigan City, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Indianapolis, Plainfield and Greensburg – provide a continuum of care.

“One reason it works is we collaborate well with physicians and hospitals,” she said. “We communicate and coordinate care with providers and understand the patient needs – keeping communication lines open.”

Home Health Care Vs. Home Care: What Are The Differences?

This chart highlights some of the key differences between home health care and home care:

Home Health Risk Assessment

What’s your score? Take our Home Health Risk Assessment, and in just minutes, receive a free, confidential analysis to assist in your decision for home health care for your loved ones.

Why Choose Home Health Care?

Choosing home health care offers many advantages to significantly improve the quality of life for individuals needing medical support. “I think home health care gives patients the best care in the comfort of their home – in an environment where they can heal,” Capps said. “It’s a place where patients feel safe, secure and most relaxed.”

This familiarity can significantly improve well-being, which is crucial for recovery.

Other reasons why home health care might be the best choice:

Individualized Care And Personal Attention

Home health care provides personalized one-on-one attention and care tailored to each patient’s specific needs. This individual focus means care is more effective, often leading to a quicker recovery. Home health professionals can adjust treatments and routines to fit the patient’s daily schedule, so they can get better in the comfort of their homes.

Coordinated Care

“One of our goals is to enhance patient trust and promote stability in managing a person’s health,” Capps said.

Franciscan Health’s ongoing relationships with primary healthcare providers help ensure the patient’s care plan is implemented as intended, which often includes regular updates and adjustments based on the patient’s progress and current needs.

Comprehensive Services

Home health care isn’t limited to basic medical care. It also includes comprehensive services such as wound care, pharmacy infusion services, medication management and care for chronic conditions such as COPD, diabetes or heart failure. Skilled professionals deliver these services, and they can handle a variety of health conditions right at home.

Cost-Effective

Financial considerations are often a significant concern for patients and their families. Home health care is generally more cost-effective compared to in-hospital care. Most health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover significant portions of home health care costs. Medicare, for instance, can cover up to 100 percent of the costs under qualifying conditions.

Supports Independence And Dignity

For many, independence is key to maintaining a sense of self and dignity. Home health care supports this independence by offering the necessary medical assistance they need to manage their daily activities safely and confidently. Home health care is a key factor in allowing patients to participate in their favorite activities as much as possible – activities that would be difficult or impossible in a hospital setting. This personalized approach not only upholds their independence but also enhances their quality of life by keeping them engaged and active in familiar surroundings.

Family Involvement And Support

Having health care delivered at home means family members can be more involved, which is vital in recovery. Families can stay more informed and engaged in their loved one’s care. And that collaboration can be comforting and reassuring to the patient and the family.

Home health care is an excellent option for those who require medical assistance but prefer to stay in the comfort and familiarity of their own home. By combining professional medical care with the benefits of being at home, patients can enjoy a more comfortable, convenient and effective recovery process. Learn more about the wide range of home health services we provide.