Senior Home Care vs. Home Health Care: What’s the Difference

Posted: July 27, 2023

At Rhythms Home Care, we understand the immense responsibility and love required to care for our beloved seniors. Whether it is senior home care or home health care, aging can bring unique challenges that necessitate additional support and assistance. While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, and we can support you with both types of care, it’s important to understand the difference so that you can make informed decisions and provide the best possible care for your aging loved ones. 

Home care usually refers to providing ongoing support that is typically non-medical in nature. It offers help with daily activities to keep your loved one safe, well cared for and independent in their own home. Home health care refers to a higher level of care that is usually ordered by the patient’s physician. This type of care could be needed after an illness or surgery or with complicated medical conditions.

Home Care:

Enriching Lives with Compassionate Support

Home care is a holistic approach to caregiving that focuses on providing essential assistance and support for seniors in the comfort of their own homes. It is designed to enhance their quality of life and maintain their independence for as long as possible. Home care professionals, like the dedicated team at Rhythms Home Care, get to know unique needs and preferences of your loved one, and their compassionate approach sets the tone for a nurturing caregiving experience. Our primary goal of home care is to provide seniors with personalized assistance in their daily activities. Home care providers ensure a safe and comfortable environment, fostering a sense of familiarity and emotional well-being for seniors. 

Services common with home care:

• Bathing and grooming
• Transferring 
• Toileting
• Medication reminders
• Companionship
• Meal preparation
• Light housekeeping
• Transportation

Home Health Care:

Skilled Care Tailored to Individual Needs

Home health care, on the other hand, goes a step further by providing skilled medical care in addition to the services offered by home care. Older adults recovering from an illness, injury, or surgery, or those living with complex medical conditions often require home health care. 

Home health care professionals, such as registered nurses and therapists, work collaboratively with physicians to deliver specialized care plans tailored to individual needs. Under the guidance of medical professionals, home health care services may include wound care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medication management, and monitoring of vital signs. This comprehensive care ensures that your loved one receives the attention they need to regain or maintain their health while remaining in the familiar surroundings of their home.

Services common with home health care:

• Skilled nursing (including wound care, pain management, home IV therapy, disease and/or medication Instruction and monitoring, etc.)
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Personal care from a certified nurse’s assistant (including bathing, grooming, etc.)

Caring for seniors is a deeply compassionate journey that requires careful consideration and understanding. Home care and home health care offer invaluable support to ensure the well-being and dignity of our aging loved ones. By recognizing the unique differences between these two types of care and seeking guidance from professionals, you can make an informed decision that caters to the specific needs and preferences of your loved one.

You may consider your loved one’s needs to help assess what type of care they require:

• Health condition – check with your loved one’s medical provider to determine if they need specialized medical attention
• Ability to do activities of daily living – assess your loved one’s ability to perform daily activities on their own. Rhythms home care can help you with an assessment.
• Recovery or rehabilitation – home health care can be appropriate if your loved one is recovering from an injury or illness.
• Emotional well-being – the support offered and the opportunity to be in their own home can significantly enhance your loved one’s overall well-being.
• Finances – home care and home health care can be more cost effective than other forms of assisted living. 

At Rhythms Home Care, we are committed to providing compassionate care that enriches the lives of seniors. Our goal is to create with you a nurturing environment where your loved one can thrive, maintaining their independence and enjoying the love and support of their caregivers.