What Is the Difference Between Home Health Care and Home Care?

June 12, 2023 / Home Care, Home Health Care

Home health care and home care are two services that, while they may sound very similar, offer very distinct services and have varying price tags associated with each. For seniors who are living independently in their home and are seeking additional care to come into their home and provide customizable services, both home care and home health care can be great options, depending on your or your loved one’s needs. The Senior Care AZ team is breaking down home care and home health care today: what they are, what they cost, and how to determine which might be the best option for your loved one. Read on to learn the difference between the two and if you need assistance determining the best option for you or your loved one, contact us to learn more about our senior placement services in Arizona.

What Is Home Health Care?

Home health care is medical support by a licensed medical professional that will be provided to an individual in the comfort of their own home. Home health care is often prescribed to an individual as a part of their elder care plan by their doctor. They can provide services such as medication management, medical tests, wound treatment, monitoring of their health status, rehabs and therapies, and administration of shots or IVs.

Home Health Care Benefits

Home health care is able to provide a high level of medical care in the comfort of a patient’s home. For individuals who have transportation difficulties, mobility issues, or are bedridden, this can be an excellent option to ensure they are receiving the medical care they need without having to leave their home. This also helps alleviate the stress of medication administration by individuals or their family members.

What Is Home Care?

Home care is an in-home support option for seniors who need an increased level of care and do not want to transition to living in a facility or community. Home care focuses less on medical care and more on companionship, transportation, and daily assistance with tasks for seniors living at home. It is less like an at-home doctor’s visit and more similar to in-home assisted living, with an individual providing aid within the home, such as housekeeping, personal care, grooming, cooking, and medication management. The level of care can be customized depending on the individual’s needs.

Home Care Benefits

Home care allows seniors to remain in their homes and avoid dealing with the difficulty and discomfort of transitioning to a facility or long term care community. Individuals who provide home care can provide a personalized level of care and companionship and will often have the ability to get to know the individual better, understanding their routine and needs.

Home Health Care vs. Home Care: Services Offered

Home Health Care Services

Home health care is more similar to services provided during an at-home doctor’s visit. Skilled medical professionals will visit the home and provide treatment and tests as needed, as well as administer IVs, medications, and shots when needed. They can closely monitor the health status of the individual while also offering physical, speech, and occupational therapy in the comfort of the patient’s home.

Home Care Services

Home care providers will generally offer a high level of companionship and care that does not include medical care. This includes assistance with the activities of daily life, such as bathing or grooming. They can also assist with caring for the home, cleaning, and doing laundry. They often provide transportation and can offer assistance with medication management and reminders to take medication rather than directly administering it.

Cost of Home Health Care vs. Home Care

Home Health Care Cost

The median cost of full-time at-home health care for seniors is $5,148 per month for an individual who works full time in the home as your home health care aid.

Home Care Cost

The median cost of home care is just $24 per hour. If you only need care for a few hours a week, this can be a great, affordable option. If you need 24/7 care, the costs can add up to almost $200,000 per year, depending on your location and needs.

Home Health Care vs. Home Care: Which Should You Choose?

Taking a look at the needs of your loved one is a great first step to determining if home care or home health care is the right option for them. If you are working with their doctor and determining how you can manage a heavy load of medical responsibilities at home, home health care could be a great choice. If your loved one needs less medical support but is seeking companionship or assistance with the activities of daily life, home care might be the best option for them.