Home Care vs. Home Health: What are the differences and benefits?
Home Care: Home care, also known as non-medical or personal care, provides care management and a care partner team that assists with Hospital to home transition care. Support with daily activities help families stay in their homes. Services can include:
- Medication management
- Personal care (showering, dressing, grooming)
- Meal preparation
- Housekeeping
- Transportation
- Companionship
- Assistance with mobility
- Restorative care programs for balance and strength
Care Management: Care managers/Service managers coordinate all aspects of care, ensuring that your loved one’s needs are met. This includes:
- Assessing needs and creating care plans
- Coordinating with healthcare providers
- Monitoring health conditions
- Arranging additional services (e.g., transportation, home modifications)
- Providing support and education to family members and caregivers
- Maintaining communication for peace of mind
Investment: Home care can be a cost-effective and personalized alternative to assisted living or memory care facilities. While Medicare does not cover these costs, options such as Long-Term Care Insurance, VA benefits, or Private Pay are available. The average hourly rate for home care is $35-40, with most families requiring about 4 hours of care per day, totaling $4,200-$4,800 per month. This is significantly less than the average cost of $7,000 per month for assisted living or memory care.
Financial Benefits:
- Lower overall costs: Home care is less than 50% of the cost of assisted living or memory care facilities.
- Flexible payment options: Includes Long-Term Care Insurance, VA benefits, and Private Pay.
- Aging-in-place: Most families prefer to keep their loved ones at home, promoting independence and comfort in familiar surroundings.
Home Health: Home health care involves medical services provided at home by licensed healthcare professionals is short-term and ordered by a doctor for Hospital to home transition care. Services include:
- RN/Skilled nursing care (wound care, injections)
- Physical Therapy (PT)
- Occupational Therapy (OT)
- Speech Therapy (ST)
Investment: Home health services are usually covered by traditional Medicare and some insurances.
Collaboration Between Home Care and Home Health:
Supporting Families to Age in Place and Recover at Home:
- Complementary Services:
- Home care provides personal and supportive services for daily activities.
- Home health offers medical care and therapies for short-term recovery.
- Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustment:
- Regular check-ins and care adjustments by care managers/service managers.
- Preventing Rehospitalization:
- Early identification and intervention of potential health issues through teamwork.
- Holistic Support:
- Home care enhances quality of life, provides increased supervision and security, and maintains independence.
- Home health offers short-term therapy for home recovery and rehabilitation.
Conclusion: Home care and home health, when coordinated together provide comprehensive support for aging in place and recovery at home, reducing the risk of rehospitalization and promoting overall well-being.
If your loved one is considering hospital to home transition care in Lincoln, NE, please contact Home Care Partners today at (402) 780-1211.
If your mother’s wish is to stay at home, we can make that possible. Reach out to us today and let’s explore how we can provide the care she needs right where she’s most comfortable, at home.
Home Care Partners is a top provider of care management services in Lincoln, NE and Lancaster County. We Bring Assisted Living Home.
Our Caregiving team provides personal one-on-one attention for your loved one. When you are ready to begin your care journey, we are the experts that will answer your questions and help you implement a plan.
Home Care Partners is locally owned and committed to providing Thoughtful, Quality, and Dedicated Care.
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