The Difference Between Home Care and Home Health Care

While the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a distinction between home care and home health care. Licensed professionals provide both types of services. Home care aides, for example, provide companionship. Costs for both are similar. However, a Medicare beneficiary must be homebound and unable to leave home without assistance due to a medical condition. Sometimes, a Medicare beneficiary may leave home for short periods for medical reasons. In addition, Medicare beneficiaries must get a doctor’s approval before receiving any home health care. As a result, home health care can be ordered multiple times based on the deterioration of the person’s health.

Home care aides provide companionship.

Home care aides provide companionship to clients who cannot care for themselves. They can be independent contractors or employed by a home care agency. These individuals do not require any special training. However, some agencies need their employees to be trained in first aid, CPR, and other specialized skills. Therefore, some agencies also provide training to their companions.

Home care agencies can also provide physical therapists and other medical professionals to care for your loved one in the comfort of their home. These professionals are motivated by the same goal: to care for their loved ones. Therefore, they will encourage their clients to complete therapies and watch for any issues that might arise.

Home health aides can accompany clients to medical appointments and take notes to help them understand their condition. This can provide valuable assistance for family caregivers who are unsure of the client’s condition or may not be able to communicate. They can also help clients understand the changes in their health and ensure they follow the doctor’s orders.

Home care aides also provide companionship and support for the elderly. This can be vital to their mental and physical health. They can accompany them to events and keep them involved in their communities. Home care aides also get to know their clients, as each client has different likes and dislikes. By getting to know their clients, they can provide the level of care and companionship they need to stay mentally and physically healthy.

Costs are similar

When comparing costs, home health care is more expensive than regular in-home care. The total monthly fee depends on the number of hours a client needs and the level of care they receive. Genworth Financial estimates home health care can cost up to $24 per hour. This comes to approximately $4,051 monthly for 20 hours of personal care assistance.

However, home health care and home care services vary widely by state and city. In addition, the amount of money paid for home health care services can also vary widely between cities. The following table presents the average cost of home care services in a particular area. If the price is a concern, talk with your insurance company to determine if your provider covers these services.

Home health care costs largely depend on the state minimum wage for caregivers. In addition, home health agencies typically add a fee to the hourly rate to cover their overhead expenses. These costs include administrative salaries and healthcare benefits for all their employees. Generally, a home health care agency with a profit margin of $4 per hour will charge $19 per hour in the marketplace.

While home care is less expensive than nursing home care, the cost depends on the level of care needed and whether financial assistance is available. In general, 24 hours of in-home care will be less expensive than nursing home care, even if Medicare or Medicaid does not cover it.